He hadn't gone into an arranged mating with the belief he'd fall in love, hell, he'd been prepared for it to be a platonic relationship other than the actual mating, but he'd hoped for...mutual respect.
"You should go to him."
"Why?"He had to force himself not to touch his chest.
"Because I fear he's still standing in the middle of the room staring at the floor."Ulric rubbed his neck and sipped the whiskey."He's so fucking small.Are all witch males small?"
"The other one wasn't much bigger."
Ulric grimaced."No, I guess not."
"How did you even--"
Rourke flashed teeth.
"Never mind.I'd have been terrified of harming him."
"He's my mate, so you don't have to worry about it."Why was his voice so growly?
Ulric grinned."Nope, I won't worry."Then he chuckled, the bastard."Go to bed, boss.You're on edge, it's late, and it's been one hell of a day."He flattened his palm against the table."Maybe breathing him in will relieve some of the stress."
"I'm not stressed."He rubbed his chest.
"Of course not."
Ulric emptied his glass, rapped his knuckles on the table, and stood."Come on now.Tomorrow is a new day."
A day where he'd wake up mated to a witch.He downed the whiskey and stood.Ulric slung his arm over his shoulders."It'll be okay."
"I doubt it."
"At least we can get information."
He nodded.Information was crucial, and Ezra could give it to them.
Ulric ushered Rourke in the direction of his room before walking back to his own, which was next door.
With a deep breath, Rourke entered.Balancing on the edge of the bed, fully dressed, was Ezra.He was faking sleep, and Rourke was unsure if he should call him on it or not.
He undressed but kept his underwear on, went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth, then he neared the bed.
"Are you sleeping in that?"
There was a small jolt, but Ezra kept his eyes shut and didn't reply.
"At least get rid of the jeans.They're not comfy to sleep in."
Ezra sighed and rolled over on his back.He wouldn't meet Rourke's gaze, but it was okay.Once he'd kicked off his jeans and removed his socks, Rourke tugged at the cover.Ezra rolled out of bed and stood next to it.
"Come on, climb in."Rourke held the covers up.
"We're sleeping in the same bed?"
"Yes."Rourke put some exasperation into the word despite having considered putting Ezra in a room of his own.
"You said we only had to--"
"Sleep.I won't touch you."The heat in his chest radiated to his palms as if urging him to touch, but he ignored it.
