“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ryder said. He watched the door as Jax left the room and headed back down the hallway to the spare bedroom. It wasn’t until he heard the door close that Ryder released the breath he’d been holding. He looked down at the precious bundle in his arms. “Your papa is the one who’s the best. He’s worried about me, but it’s my job to take care of him. I promise I’m not going to let anything happen to him. You need him. I need him. But shhh, don’t tell him. That’ll be our little secret.” Tabby cooed and then slowly closed her eyes.
Ryder stood up from the rocker and carried her to the crib. He put her down and then covered her up with another blanket. He smiled when she remained asleep. He turned and headed to the door, then shut the light off and looked back at the crib.
“Goodnight, Tabby,” he whispered.
He shut the door behind him and then headed to his room. On the way to his room, he bypassed Jax’s. The door was closed, and Ryder hesitated there. Goddess, he wished Jax would open up to him and allow Ryder to love both him and Tabby.
Not that he didn’t already. All he could do was continue doing so from afar until Jax felt ready for more.
Remember, Ryder, be patient for as long as necessary.
Both he and his wolf needed the reminder. Ryder continued the walk to his bedroom and closed the door so it was only ajar. He slid back under the covers and turned off the light on the nightstand. A yawn escaped him as he closed his eyes. Jax was worth waiting for. Jax was worth everything. He drifted off to sleep, knowing with a new day, anything was possible.
Chapter Three
Jax
Jax rocked Tabby back and forth as he finished feeding her. She let out a yawn and closed her eyes. Goddess, she was so cute.
He put her bottle down on the table and held her against his chest, gently patting her on the back until she finally let out a little burp. “Good girl,” he whispered. He got to his feet and then put her back into a lying position as he rocked her. She kept her eyes closed, a small smile on her lips. He loved seeing her smile.
He carried her to the stairs, then up to her room. He kissed her on the forehead before he laid her down, then held onto the side of the crib, beaming down at her. It was amazing to think something so beautiful had come from such a dark period in his life. With everything he’d been through, he still wouldn’t give Tabby up for anything.
“Don’t you two make a perfect picture.”
Jax jumped when he heard Ryder’s voice. He spun around and spotted him leaning against the doorway. “I didn’t hear you come home.” Jax moved away from the crib to the door, closing it softly, and went to stand beside Ryder in the hallway.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m sorry.” Ryder looked upset that he had. And Jax didn’t like that.
“You didn’t.” He was quick to reassure. “I just didn’t hear you, that’s all.” He moved toward the stairs, and Ryder fell into step with him as they went downstairs.
He shouldn’t have been surprised anyway; Ryder had made a habit of coming home early.
He wasn’t sure when it’d happened, but the past two weeks, Jax had found himself wishing that Ryder and he would finally make a move. They were mates, and now that he was ready—he, his wolf, and his body—their natural chemistry was making itself known, loudly.
But apparently, not to Ryder. It constantly felt like he was withdrawing from Jax whenever it seemed like they could get close.
There were moments Jax thought maybe he was wrong about everything and he and Ryder weren’t fated mates, but his wolf and his heart screamed bullshit because he felt it. And he smelled it.
Then again, maybe it was just his imagination. Maybe he was just drawn to the alpha because he’d been nothing but kind to him.
Jax shook his head. No, he felt it. Deep down he knew, Ryder was his.
“How was work today?” he asked. He plopped himself down on the sofa as Ryder took the seat across from him.
Ryder shrugged. “Same ol’, nothing overly exciting.”
Jax raised a brow. “What does a doctor consider exciting? Like, have you ever had to deliver a baby in a car?”
Ryder threw his head back and laughed and Jax’s eyes landed on the muscled column of his throat. What would it be like kissing him there? The thought caught him off guard. His eyes went to Ryder’s lips … Or kissing the alpha in general.
“No car births so far, but that would definitely be exciting.”
Jax looked away from him. His heart wanted to run to the man, but his mind said to keep things simple. He sighed heavily. “That’s a shame.” Jax looked around the living room, but his eyes drifted back to Ryder’s only to find him staring, too.
Jax shifted on the couch, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. He reached for his phone on the coffee table and leaned back against the couch. He flipped through some apps and looked for something to occupy his mind and help him forget about the alpha staring in his direction. Or how much he wanted to climb into his lap.
“I think I’ll start dinner,” Ryder said. Jax looked up to see Ryder leaving the living room and heading to the kitchen. Jax tossed his phone to the side. Things weren’t supposed to be like this, with Jax feeling so awkward around Ryder.
