“Anything else?”
Reed shrugged. “I like to read, and I used to run, but I can’t do that until they catch whatever’s hiding in the forest.”
Demi would have thought it was a prank if he hadn’t talked with Gentry. He’d never seen anything, even though he spent a lot of time in the forest.
Reed distracted him by pointing at a bush and asking what it was, and Demi launched himself in what he loved most—plants.
* * * *
To his own surprise, Reed had had fun. He’d liked hearing Demi talk on and on about what he was passionate about, even if he didn’t understand much about it. And keeping his attention on Demi had helped Reed to keep his vigilance under control, almost to the point that he’d forgotten he should be checking his surroundings. Almost.
At least Reed’s mood had been stable, and that pushed him to take another step forward. When he and Demi got back to the car, cheeks reddened by the cold air, he grabbed Demi’s hand and pulled him close before he could climb in. Reed kissed him, smiling when Demi chuckled.
“Do you have to go home now?”
Demi tilted his head to the side. “No, why? Did you have something in mind?”
“We could go and have coffee.”
Demi’s wide smile was enough for Reed to know he’d done the right thing. Maybe he really was healing. It was slow, but it was there.
“That’d be great.”
Demi pressed a quick kiss on Reed’s lips and they got in the car. Reed stroked a hand down the leather seat. He loved his mate’s car, and Demi had done an awesome job on it.
“How about the small coffee shop next to the library? Or would you rather go to the one in Main Street? I know that one has more choices, but it’s usually noisy.”
“The one next to the library is fine.”
The drive was short, and Reed took the opportunity to look around. He hadn’t been in town very often since he’d started living in Gillham. He’d tried, but there was always a niggling feeling in him that told him it would be better—safer—if he stayed home instead. His mom had insisted on taking him to dinner a few times, but Reed had spent the evening looking around and keeping an eye on everyone and everything, and it had effectively taken all the fun out of it.
He couldn’t say he was comfortable today, but being able to focus on Demi helped. It might be the mate bond that was making itself known, or maybe just Demi’s charisma, but it didn’t really matter either way. What did matter was that Reed was enjoying a day out with his mate without feeling the need to run back home. Not too much, anyway.
“You coming?”
Reed shook himself from his thoughts and followed Demi inside. He couldn’t stop himself from looking around the coffee shop for someone who might hurt him or his mate, but the shop was mostly empty. The only other customers were two teenage girls giggling at a table near the window and an older man reading a newspaper.
Reed didn’t think either of them could do anything more than cause him a bruise, but he still took a seat against the wall and facing the door, just in case.
Traffic outside was light, which was why Reed noticed the hundred thousand dollar SUV that drove by. He didn’t think there were many of those cars around town. Even Kameron, who could probably have spent as much for a car if he wanted to, drove an old battered truck.
Demi came back with two travel mugs and put one in front of Reed, distracting him. “Here you go. Chai tea latte for you, and cappuccino for me.”
“You know me so well,” Reed teased as he took his first sip and burned his tongue. He grimaced and put the mug down.
“Well, it’s been a month already. I picked up on some things. I’m sure you did, as well.”
“I’m curious. What did you discover?”
Demi smiled and sipped at his coffee. “That you don’t drink coffee. That you like to read books that probably weigh more than you do. That you bite your nails, especially when you’re nervous. That you love pasta, but you don’t like rice. That you play with your hair when you’re nervous or bored. That you don’t think you’re attractive, although I have to disagree with that.”
Reed raised his hands. “Okay, okay. I can’t deny you did learn quite a bit of stuff about me.”
“Told you.”
“Well, I learned that you’re happier when you’re outside, even if it’s snowing and cold as fuck. You swear a lot, but you try to curb it when you’re around people you don’t know well. You don’t eat meat, but you like eggs and milk. Sometimes you think you don’t belong in Gillham, because you’re different, but Noah is usually able to spot the times when you think that and get you out of them. You also feel like you’re not enough quite often, like I’m going to tell you I made a mistake and that you should go back home. I think that that’s your greatest fear—to have to go back.”
Demi smiled shyly. “Looks like you know me better than most.” He clutched at his mug with both hands and looked down. “Shall we go?”
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
“It’s okay. I’m just not used to, well, people. When I’m at home I really only see my father, expect for the few times a month I see Noah. I’m used to them seeing me, but you... you’re still something new for me.”
“It’s fine.” Gosh, Reed wished he was more outgoing, that he didn’t question himself constantly. He wanted to reach over the table and take Demi’s hand, maybe kiss him, but he needed to keep the door in sight, and while he knew Demi wouldn’t push him away, there still was something that stopped him.
Demi rose from his chair. “Ready to go?”
Reed couldn’t help but feel like he’d messed things up. He mentally berated himself. Of course he’d fuck things up. That was him in all his glory. Demi was trying so hard, yet Reed wasn’t giving him what he needed. How could he change that, though?
He frowned as they got out and started walking. He wasn’t sure what Demi wanted. He should probably ask, because how could he try if he didn’t know? Reaching out, Reed grabbed Demi’s free hand, stopping him. Demi turned, the question obvious in his eyes, but before he could ask, Reed kissed him.
They were in the middle of the block, standing on the sidewalk, with people passing past them. Anyone could try to hurt them, or to take one of them away, but Reed tried to push those thoughts away. He was fine, Demi was fine, and no one would take them. The Glass Research Company didn’t exist anymore. They were safe. He was safe.
Demi shook Reed’s hand away and cupped his cheek. “What was that for?”
Reed shrugged. “Just to show you I care, and that I know it’s not easy, and I appreciate you trying and giving me a chance.”
Demi kissed Reed, and Reed let him. He even closed his eyes, just to be able to really revel in the contact of lips against his.
“Of course I’m giving you a chance. Who wouldn’t?”
“Lots of people, believe me.”
“Want to go home? We could cuddle in front of the fire.”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
The drive home was mostly silent, but Demi put a hand on Reed’s thigh every time he could. He didn’t try for anything more, but Reed enjoyed the contact more than he cared to admit. He really was missing something by keeping distance between them.
He was surprised to see the expensive SUV he’d seen earlier parked in front of Noah and Duncan’s house when they got there, and he briefly wondered who it belonged to.
He hurried around the car and took Demi’s hand again. Demi smiled and leaned down to kiss him, and Reed opened his mouth, ready for a making out session, maybe finally for something more. He knew Demi wanted him for more than a one-time thing, that he wouldn’t intentionally hurt him. Demi was Reed’s mate, even if he wasn’t a shifter and didn’t feel the pull like one. It didn’t mean he couldn’t want Reed as much as Reed wanted him, and Reed was positive it was time to finally surrender and really open up to his mate.
They were
still kissing when they heard the shouts coming from inside the house.
“Get out!”
Reed was pretty sure it was Noah’s voice, but he couldn’t hear who he was fighting with.
“I said, get out! You don’t belong here! He doesn’t want to see you.”
The front door swung open and Reed pressed himself closer to Demi. Demi wrapped both arms around Reed and briefly smiled down at him before looking at the house again.
A man stumbled out of the front door, Noah close behind. “Leave. Now. You’re not in Starhaven. You’re nothing here.”
The man looked up and Reed’s first thought was that he was pretty. Then he opened his mouth, and Reed’s life went to hell.
“Demi, baby. Here you are.”
* * * *
Demi felt Reed go ramrod straight in his arms. He tightened them, because he knew Reed’s first instinct would be to run, and if he did, it would be hell for Demi to talk to him. He didn’t fool himself that Reed would give him an opportunity to explain and would rather hide than talk to him.
“Let me go,” Reed hissed, but Demi shook his head and concentrated on Larsen.
“What are you doing here? How did you even find out I was here?”
Larsen slinked down the stairs and stopped a few feet from Demi and Reed. Reed pushed against Demi’s chest, but Demi didn’t let go. He needed to make it clear that Larsen was nothing to him, and Reed needed to hear it.
“I came to find you. I miss you.” Larsen pouted, but Demi wasn’t fooled. He noticed the hard glance Larsen gave Reed, and he knew Larsen was talking like that on purpose, to separate them.
Demi shook his head. “I don’t know how to say this in a way that you understand, Larsen, but things between us have been over for a while. I came here to get away from you, and you should’ve known better than to look for me. I don’t want to see you, so you can go.”
Reed relaxed a tiny bit in Demi’s arms, and Demi risked a glance. His gaze met Reed’s eyes, and they were so full of pain, betrayal, confusion, and hope, that Demi had to say something to appease him.
Demi stroked a hand over Reed’s back, ignoring Larsen, who was talking again. He leaned down and pressed his face against Reed’s. “I’m not cheating on you, I swear. He’s my ex, and I had to leave home because he wouldn’t leave me alone. Remember? I told you a bit about him.”
He straightened and prayed Reed would understand he didn’t want to fully explain while Larsen was there. Reed was pale and his eyes were huge, but he gave Demi a shaky nod and finally stopped trying to get away. He hugged Demi back instead and turned to look at Larsen.
Larsen was looking at them, examining them, really. One of his brows was arched as he looked at Reed from head to toe, and Demi knew this was going to be bad. He glanced at Noah, who was standing on the porch trying to launch himself at Larsen, but Duncan was hugging him from behind and keeping him away. Noah was swearing up a storm, but Duncan wasn’t letting go.
“So, this is who you’re shacking up with now? I thought you had better taste, baby. You’ve been with me, after all.”
“That’s where I showed bad taste. What do you want, Larsen?”
Larsen pressed a hand on his heart. “Oh, I’m hurt.” It was obvious he was playing around, and Demi steeled himself for what was coming. “I came to get you back home, baby. Your father misses you. I miss you.”
“That’s too bad, because I’m not coming back. And stop trying to convince me you really want me. I’m not an idiot.”
Larsen’s eyes widened innocently. “How can you say I don’t want you? I came all the way here to get you back. I even had to talk to your father to find out you were here. Of course I knew you’d be with Noah, but no one seems to know where he lives except his parents, and I obviously couldn’t ask them.”
Demi bristled at the tone Larsen used when he mentioned Demi’s father. “Leave my father out of this.”
“I will, if you come back. If you don’t... well, did you know a very expensive watch disappeared from our pool the other day? Come to think of it, your father was working in the garden at the time.”
Demi gently pushed Reed away and made to step up to Larsen, but the passenger door of Larsen’s car opened and someone came out of it. “Do you need help, Lar?”
“I already told you not to shorten my name.”
The man, who Demi recognized as one of Larsen’s best friends, raised his hands in apology. “Sorry. So? Do you need a hand?”
“Stay in the car, Gordon.”
Larsen waited until Gordon was back in the car to talk again. “So, what is it going to be, Demi?”
“I noticed you waited until your friend was back in the car. Does he know why you’re here?”
“Who cares?”
“I do. That was one of the reasons I broke up with you, remember? You were ashamed of me. You still are. You’re also a spoiled brat and I don’t want to have anything to do with you.”
“I guess your father can go on even without a job. And for what? For that?”
Demi had enough of Larsen’s veiled insults. “Leave Reed out of this.”
“I still don’t understand why you’re slumming. But then I guess it’s something you and your friends are used to.”
“You son of a bitch!” Noah yelled from the porch.
Demi looked over Larsen’s shoulder and saw that Duncan didn’t look that pleased either. “Make him leave, Demi, or I’ll help Noah beat his ass before informing Kameron. I’m sure Selena Higgins would like to hear about this.”
Larsen’s reaction was immediate. He tensed and tightened his fists, but he didn’t move. Selena Higgins was a black demon, part of both their town’s conclave and the paranormal council. She could make Larsen’s life hell if she wanted to, and while Demi obviously didn’t know her, Noah did, and his parents were actually friends with her.
Noah calmed down at Selena’s name being mentioned and stopped trying to get to Larsen to beat him to a pulp. He smirked instead, and crossed his arms on his chest. His tail was still swishing behind him, a sign he wasn’t completely relaxed, and Demi’s twitched almost in answer.
Demi sighed and took another step forward, but Reed looped his arm around Demi’s waist to keep him in place. Larsen noticed the gesture and didn’t miss the opportunity to try to hit Reed where it hurt.
“Oh, you think he’s yours, huh? Think again. He’ll come back to me once he’s had enough of your ugly ass. He’s just sowing his wild oats.”
“I don’t think so.”
Demi gaped at his mate. Reed’s tone was firm and he looked absolutely convinced of what he was saying. Of course, he was right, but Demi hadn’t thought Reed really believed it.
Larsen scoffed. “Oh, of course. Because you two are in love?”
“I don’t know about love, but shifters mate for life.”
“Only when they meet their fated mates,” Larsen said nonchalantly—then recognition appeared to dawn when he took another look at Reed, who was smirking and had a stern glint in his eyes. “He can’t be your mate.”
“Oh, but he is. That’s why he’ll never go back to you.”
Demi pulled Reed closer and kissed his temple. “That, and the fact that he’s a hateful spoiled brat.”
Reed shook his head. Larsen, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to kill someone. “You’ll regret this.”
“Oh, I know I will, but only because knowing you, you’re going to run home and have my dad fired. But we’ll find a solution, because I have no intention of giving in to you. Nothing’s worth that.”
Larsen stomped back to his car and climbed into it, then slammed the door shut. The car skidded on the gravel in front of Noah’s house as he left and Demi finally relaxed. He felt Reed’s arm disappear from his waist and expected Reed to run away, but it didn’t happen.
Reed guided Demi up the porch and inside the house instead, and Demi let him. Noah was still swearing and bad m
outhing Larsen as he followed them, and Duncan was on the phone.
Demi slumped into one of the chairs around the kitchen table. He pressed his palms to his face and tried to convince himself things weren’t as bad as they looked, that they would make it out. Too many things depended not on him but on someone else for him to be sure, though.
The clunk of ceramic against wood made him look up. Reed had put a steaming mug in front of him and sat next to him, while Noah took the chair in front.
“Kameron’s coming,” Duncan declared before sitting as well. They all looked at each other, and Demi suddenly felt grateful. He wasn’t alone anymore.
* * * *
Reed had waited until Larsen’s car was gone before moving his arm from Demi’s waist. He’d wanted to run and hide, but he knew Demi needed him.
Now the four of them were seated at the table, waiting for Kameron’s arrival. Reed kept his hand on his mate’s thigh, trying to comfort him. It was surprisingly easy to forget about watching the door, or to resist the urge to dive into the laundry room. Reed leaned against Demi’s side, and Demi looked at him with surprise.
Reed smiled ruefully and shrugged, and Demi let go of the mug and slid an arm around Reed’s waist, pulling him even closer. Reed almost fell from his chair and Demi chuckled. “Careful. I need you in one piece.”
“I’m sturdier than I look, don’t worry.”
“So, what do we do?” Noah cut in.
Reed couldn’t deny he’d been impressed by the demon. Noah was usually mellow and immersed in his painting. Seeing him angry enough to attempt to physically fight with someone wasn’t something that happened often, or ever, really.
“I need to talk to my father. Knowing Larsen, he’s already on the phone with his parents. It won’t take long for them to fire dad, and you know how things go back there. Once dad’s fired there, others will follow, and he won’t be able to work.”
“We need to stop Larsen.”
“I don’t know...”
Noah gaped. “What do you mean, you don’t know?”
Demi Page 7