Demi Read online

  When Demi and his father separated, Reed awkwardly offered the man his hand. “Uh, I’m Reed. Demi’s mate.”

  Demi’s father smiled kindly and shook his hand. “I’m George. Welcome to the family, Reed.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Dad, what are you baking? It smells good,” Demi intervened. He smiled at Reed, and Reed knew Demi had done it on purpose, just like Jago before.

  “Your mother’s pecan pie. I found her recipes book in the back of a closet when I started packing.” George looked at Reed, then back at Demi. “Do you want me to go back at Kameron’s house?”

  Demi looked at Reed and Reed suddenly felt foolish. George didn’t know him, yet he was ready to leave his son’s home to make sure Reed was comfortable. So Reed shook his head at Demi, and Demi nodded.

  “No, don’t worry. The guest room is yours as long as you need and want it.”

  “I don’t want to be a bother. I’ll be gone as soon as I can.”

  “Dad, you’re not a bother. I’m happy to have you here.”

  “We’re happy to have you here,” Reed corrected. “I know I’m not the easiest man to deal with, but I’m getting better, and I don’t want Demi to have to choose between you and me. Just... don’t take offense if I run away when I see you or if I lock the doors.”

  George slowly inched closer and squeezed Reed’s shoulder before quickly backing away. “Demi told me what happened to you.” At Reed’s alarmed glance, he hurriedly continued, “Not the details, don’t worry. Just enough for me to know how strong a man you are to still be standing and facing life every day. Don’t worry about me, I’m not too easily offended.”

  “Except when you tell him it’s time to retire,” Demi added with a snicker, and just like that, the tension in the room dissipated.

  George growled at his son and slapped the back of his head. “Respect your elders, boy.”

  Demi raised his hands. “Sorry, sorry. Do you need help?”

  “No, you two go to bed. I’ll wait for the pie to be ready and clean up, then I’ll go to bed.” He looked at Reed. “I’m a heavy sleeper and nothing can wake me once I’m asleep, so whatever noise you two want to make, just wait until I’m in bed, all right?”

  Demi groaned and pushed Reed toward the door. Reed waited until they were in the hallway to whisper, “Did he really just suggest what I think he did?”

  “If you think my father just told us to wait until he fell asleep to have sex, then yes, he did.”

  Reed laughed. “God, I can’t even think about what’ll happen when your father meets my mother.”

  Demi’s eyes widened. “Oh shit. We can’t let that happen. Ever. We wouldn’t survive it.”

  The banter was enough to make Reed forget about his fear. He knew the house, he knew the men in it. He’d be in Demi’s bed, in his arms, for the entire night. Nothing would be able to get to him. Nothing.

  Chapter Seven

  Demi startled awake, blindly reaching for Reed. His heart was beating hard, fear still gripping at his throat. Then he saw Reed bundled on his side of the bed, almost completely covered by the comforter. The only thing that peeked out was his hair.

  Demi breathed easier. He’d been dreaming about Reed being kidnapped, unsurprisingly, and seeing that his mate was in his bed dissipated the lingering sense of panic and fear from Demi’s mind. He looked at his cell phone and was relieved to see Reed had slept through the night without too many problems. He’d woken Demi up a couple times because he’d been whimpering in his sleep, but Demi had pressed his neck against Reed’s nose and had been able to calm him both times. He was still amazed that something as trivial as his scent was able to make Reed feel safe and chase the nightmares away.

  Now that Demi was awake he could hear someone—his dad—moving around the house. There were steps, the noise of ceramic against wood, and Demi could smell the fire his dad had lit up in the living room.

  He wondered if he should get up only to decide he’d earned staying in bed with his mate for a little more time. Reed had his back to Demi and was in a fetal position, so Demi unbundled the comforter—Reed had stolen it almost completely, which would explain why he’d felt cold earlier—and pressed his front against Reed’s back.

  Reed murmured and snuggled even closer, and Demi’s body reacted. How could he not, when Reed was pressing his ass precisely against Demi’s morning wood?

  Demi could feel Reed answering through their bond, a feeling of arousal coming from Reed. That meant Reed was awake, and that they could take advantage of the no doubt little time they had. He reached out, wondering if Reed was feeling well enough for it or if he’d rather just cuddle. Demi wouldn’t mind either, although his body had a pretty firm idea of what it wanted.

  Reed rolled on his back and looked at Demi, the side of his face brushing Demi’s as he moved. Reed’s cheek scratched softly against Demi’s and he felt Reed’s breath against his neck. He couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through him. Reed’s breath hitched in response and he moved agonizingly slowly, plastering his body against Demi before pressing a kiss to the skin of his neck.

  Demi exhaled shakily and turned his head just a bit to the side in a silent request for more. Reed obliged, his arms sliding around Demi as he kissed Demi’s neck again, his mouth open, warm and damp. Demi felt the spike of Reed’s arousal through their bond just a moment before Reed shifted, pressing his hips impossibly closer to Demi’s body.

  Reed peppered Demi’s skin with open-mouthed kisses, his lips lingering against Demi’s skin, and Demi tightened his grip on Reed’s arms. He bit his lower lip when Reed drew in a sharp breath.

  “Reed...”

  Reed pulled his mouth away from Demi’s neck. “Do you want me to stop?”

  Demi chuckled breathlessly. “God, no. Please no.”

  Reed leaned down to kiss Demi’s neck again. The faintest hint of teeth on his neck made Demi’s entire body tingle. He could feel Reed’s erection against his and he barely stifled a whimper when Reed tugged an arm free from around Demi’s waist and trailed his fingertips across Demi’s chest and stomach until they reached the waistband of the soft pants he’d worn to bed.

  “Oh god,” Demi choked out as Reed gently rocked his hips forward. Reed moaned shakily in response and Demi tightened his hold on his mate. Trembling fingers pressed against Demi’s cock through the material of his pants, and it was as if the fabric wasn’t even there.

  Reed moved his hand and cupped Demi’s erection just as he bit down on Demi’s neck, right where he’d bitten him the day before when they’d mated. Demi pulled Reed up and crushed their mouths together, twining his fingers in Reed’s long strands to keep him closer. Reed gasped and arched his back, pressing their hips and cocks together.

  Reed shifted and their dicks bumped together again. Demi shoved his own hips forward, making both of them moan, but it still wasn’t enough. He needed more.

  Demi swore and grabbed Reed’s hips, pushing himself forward again as he curled his fingers around his mate. Reed’s mouth dropped open and he tilted his tilted back as Demi set a brutal pace, pressing and moving urgently against Reed, their hips in rhythm.

  “Oh god,” Reed choked out, pushing harder. Pleasure was pooling in Demi’s groin and he could feel Reed’s orgasm approaching through their bond, and it was incredible. It heightened Demi’s arousal like nothing ever had before, and it made his head spin.

  “I’m—”

  Demi only managed to choke out a word out before he was coming. His hips jerked against Reed as pleasure tore through him, his dick pulsing in his pants.

  Then Reed cried out and stiffened in Demi’s hold before collapsing against his chest.

  Demi hugged him close and leaned against him, his face buried in Reed’s neck, his breathing harsh and his legs like jelly. “That was a hell of a good morning.”

  Reed laughed against Demi’s hair. “So that was a good morning? I wonder what your goodnights are
like.”

  Demi leaned away and looked at Reed. “There’s an easy way for you to find out.”

  Reed’s gaze softened. “I know.”

  “You’re working on it?”

  “Exactly. I think I’m on the right track.”

  “That’s all I want. You take your time. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

  Voices rose somewhere in the house and Demi sighed. “Looks like we’re not alone anymore.”

  Reed cuddled against Demi. Demi trailed his tail against his mate’s side, making Reed shiver. He grabbed it and stroked his fingers against his length, smirking when Demi shuddered. “Do you think we really need to go?”

  Demi shrugged. “Probably. I’m pretty sure it’s Kameron, and maybe Noah too. I should’ve known they’d try to find a way to punish Gordon as soon as possible. Makes me wonder if they even slept.”

  Reed didn’t answer and Demi looked at him. He was frowning a bit, clearly thinking about something. Demi thought about his words and asked, “Do you want Gordon to be punished? He did kidnap you.”

  “I just want him to stay away from me.”

  “I’m not sure we’ll be able to make the conclave do anything.” Demi sighed. “You’re a shifter, and I’m just a gardener. We don’t matter to them. But Noah and Selena might be able to do something.”

  Reed shook his head. “Not if it means we’ll have problems with them. I don’t want to start a war.”

  Demi hugged his mate close and kissed the top of his head. “I wish there could be an easy solution.”

  “I just want him to stay away. I don’t care about the rest.”

  There was a knock on the door and Noah asked, “Guys? Are you awake?”

  “Give us five minutes,” Demi answered.

  “We’re in the kitchen.”

  Demi waited until he heard Noah’s steps disappear, then gently disentangled himself from Reed. Reed rolled on his stomach and buried his face in the pillow. “Do I really have to come?”

  “No, but do you really want to stay in bed all sticky?”

  Reed rolled on his back and grimaced. “Fine. I’m coming.”

  “You already did.”

  “Don’t be a smartass.”

  It felt good to see Reed relaxed, especially after what had happened. Demi enjoyed it as much as he could because he knew it wouldn’t last. Still, it was another tiny step forward. Reed wasn’t panicking or hiding. It was something.

  They found Noah, Kameron, Duncan, Zach, and Demi’s dad in the kitchen, talking over cups of coffee. From their expression, Demi had been right. “Nothing?”

  Noah shook his head, his eyes blazing. “Selena can’t help. She won’t even try!”

  Demi sat in the one free chair and pulled Reed onto his lap. Reed squeaked but snuggled close. “Told you so. She doesn’t want to make an enemy out of the rest of the conclave. She can’t afford it, and I don’t think the council can either. They could be useful one day.”

  “But it’s not fair!” Noah cried out. “I asked dad to try to talk to someone, but he didn’t look positive about the result.”

  Reed sighed. “Look, I just want to be left alone, okay? Forget about this.”

  “But—”

  Reed’s voice rose. “Noah. Stop it! I said leave it alone. Gordon won’t kidnap me again. Larsen doesn’t want Demi anymore, so they’ll leave us alone, unless you insist and put us in the spotlight.”

  Noah gave Demi a helpless glance, but Demi couldn’t change Reed’s mind, and he didn’t want to try. If Reed felt more secure this way, then he’d go with it. “Leave it, Noah. Please.”

  Noah huffed and crossed his arms on his chest, but didn’t insist. Demi could see Kameron wanted to, and he understood it, but there was no point. “I think you can all go home. Reed’s fine.”

  “I’m going too, Demi,” his dad said. Demi nodded, even if he wanted his dad to stay. They’d lived together Demi’s entire life, and it had felt weird to be without him for the past month.

  He had something better now, though. Someone who mattered just as much, if not more, and he’d do whatever it took to keep Reed safe and happy. He deserved it.

  The End

  About the Author

  Catherine lives in Italy, country of good food and hot men. She used to write fantasy as a child, but it was reading her first gay erotic romance novel that made her realize that that was what she really wanted to write.

  After graduating from college in English language and translation, she divides her day between writing, reading, taking care of her son and reading some more.

  You can find her on Facebook and Twitter or on her website: authorcatherinelievens.wordpress.com

  Email: [email protected]