To Riggs' surprise, Drakon met him at his apartment. "I thought it would be more convenient for you if they met here." He said and then congratulated them on their bond. Riggs made introductions, and everyone took a seat in the living room.
Riggs explained their situation with Dr. Ferris, the museum, and he mentioned that Ferris had been spotted sitting in his car outside Thomas' apartment. Drakon listened and nodded, taking it all in.
"He was outside my apartment?" Thomas asked, and Riggs slipped his arm around him.
“He was sitting in a dark blue SUV across the road, but he didn't follow us."
"That's upsetting." Thomas leaned into Riggs and placed his hands on Riggs' thigh, needing the comfort and peace of his touch and his nearness.
"Yes, it is," Drakon spoke up. "You have more than enough cause to kill him if that is what you wish. I will sanction the action." He spoke to Riggs, but it was Thomas who reacted.
"No, please, don't kill him. I couldn't live with myself if I caused his death." He pleaded to Riggs. Riggs could see the smile on Drakon’s lips. Drakon’s beloved was also human, and he knew of their soft hearts.
"I won't kill him." He said, but he knew he could do a lot to Dr. Ferris without killing him.
"Master Rose will be at the board meeting tomorrow, and you, Riggs, will accompany him as one of his guards," Drakon stated. “So, we’ll finish this tomorrow.”
"Yes, sir, and thank you."
He showed him to the door, and before leaving, Drakon spoke softly so that Thomas didn't hear. "The death sanction stands if you need it, use it." Drakon never took chances when it came to the health and welfare of a beloved
"Yes, sir," Riggs responded. When Riggs returned to the living room, Thomas was standing, staring at him.
“Dr. Ferris is the Collection Manager. I applied to work under him because I wanted to learn collection management, but my real desire was to work under Dr. Walsh, who directs exhibition design. Jeremy had already taken the last position with Dr. Walsh, so I opted for Dr. Ferris.” Riggs walked over to him and reached out his hand. Thomas took it and stepped closer.
“My time there has been fraught with problems and complications. I thought I could work through it all. I knew Dr. Ferris didn’t like me; he made that clear in so many ways right from the beginning, but I didn't know that he hated me. I didn't know that he was willing to go to these lengths to try to destroy me when I was no threat to him.” Thomas took another step forward and laid his head on Riggs’ chest.
"You're not the first new hire that he's done this to." Riggs said and wrapped his arm around him. "I had a background run on Ferris, and he's targeted people before, both professionally and personally. It's his style, it gives him some sense of power and authority, but he only attacks those under him, never an equal or a superior."
"That's messed up." He said, and Riggs agreed. "I'm a little nervous about the meeting tomorrow."
"Don't be," Riggs stated. "You won't be alone, you're one of us now, and we take care of our own." Thomas looked up at him, searching his face. "You and I are bonded, you're a coven member, sweetheart." Riggs smiled broadly at the look on Thomas' face.
“I belong here.” He said with just a touch of wonder.
“You belong with me.” Riggs took him in a sudden and insatiable embrace. Kissing him deeply, holding him like the treasure that he was. He let the kiss trail down his throat to the small scar at the base. The minute he kissed him, Thomas began to tremble and clutch at him, pulling him closer. The response was sensual and exciting.
“Let me show you our room," Riggs whispered in his ear, sweeping him up into his arms. Thomas gasped and then chuckled.
“I’d love to see it.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Thomas was overcome by everything that had fallen upon him this last day. There were magnificent things like Riggs, and there were complicated and unfortunate things like Dr. Ferris.
Until he met Riggs, Thomas' life revolved around his career and his future; everything was calibrated to getting him where he wanted to be professionally. Any trouble was dealt with like a physical blow; he took everything personally, no matter how small. Anxiety hung off him like a constant shadow, and now, with things the absolute worst they could be professionally speaking, he felt none of those things. The worry was there, but it was low-level and manageable.
Riggs gave him strength, clarity, and a view of the world from a position of power. Thomas was trusting and believing in himself; whatever happened from here didn't matter because he knew he had the skill to work through it, and he had a man like Riggs McClain standing by his side. Life was not to be feared; it was to be lived.
Riggs' apartment was large, roomy, and minimalist in taste, but he offered to let him decorate any way he wished. He wouldn't take too many liberties, but he would suggest somecolor and some texture, maybe rugs, soft furniture, something warm. Unlike the rest of the apartment, Riggs' bedroom was lush; it was obviously his favorite room. The fabrics were thick and soft, and the furnishings large and comfortable.
Riggs carried him to the bed and sat him down gently on the edge. He began to take off Thomas' clothing, a slow piece at a time. Every inch of flesh that was exposed was kissed and nuzzled, and then he moved onto the next. It enthralled and sensitized his flesh and sent trembling thrills through his system.
He was down to his briefs, and Riggs pressed his face against his hard cock straining through the fabric. His hot breath tantalized and made Thomas' breath catch in his throat. Then the briefs were gone, and he was being pushed back onto the large bed. He was still on the edge with his legs being held aloft by Riggs.
Thomas relaxed and stared at his gorgeous lover. Riggs positioned himself between Thomas' thighs and pushed them forward until Thomas' ass was stretched and presented. Riggs opened the front of his jeans and pulled the sides apart before releasing his now hard, throbbing cock and holding it in his right hand.
It was a thing of beauty, and Thomas ached to feel it inside him, filling and stretching him, and know the pleasure that would engulf him. He salivated at the sight and at the hungry look in Riggs's eyes. He pressed the head against his entrance, teasing at first, and then, without warning, plunged inside, going to the base and holding Thomas in place. The sensations that tore through him were explosive.
