Garridan held up a hand, letting Sage know he should go ahead of him. Sage turned and started up the stairs. Garridan walked a few feet behind, not wanting to make him feel penned in or fear Garridan anymore than he already did.
He really would kill every single one of the fuckers who touched Sage. None of them would live.
Sage stopped in the small foyer and began taking off his shoes. “I don’t think Lucas and Bennett want snow in their house. I never like stepping in it. Wet and cold. Yuck.” Sage had a way of talking that gave off a nervous energy, making Garridan want to soothe him. He knew that wouldn’t be welcome, though, so he stayed silent.
The foyer was so small Garridan couldn’t help but brush against Sage. Sage winced and moved away. Garridan had a completely different reaction, though. His eyes changed to his dragon’s and he clenched his jaw. His most primal instincts were to mate, to take Sage up against the wall, but Garridan knew if he let his instincts take over he’d lose what little trust he had gained with his mate. Sage needed him to have patience and to think things through, which was still hard for him to do with his feral mind. He’d fuck it up if he gave into his dragon.
Garridan bent and took off his boots. When he straightened, he noticed Sage watching him. He wondered what he was thinking but didn’t know how to ask. Instead, he held out his hand and said, “Your coat.”
Sage’s eyebrows drew together as if he didn’t understand and then recognition hit him. “Oh, sure.” Sage held out the wrapped box. “Would you hold this for me?”
Garridan took the package. It was heavier than he expected. Sage removed his coat and handed it to Garridan. Garridan gave Sage the package so he could free up both hands. He hung up Sage’s coat before taking off his own and hanging it next to Sage’s.
Every move he made, he felt Sage watching him. Maybe he thought Garridan would attack, like he had when they first met or if it was just that Sage wanted to study his movements. “I won’t hurt you.” Garridan wanted to put that fear to rest.
“I know. I don’t think you will.”
“You’re staring.” Pointing that out might tip the conversation toward the truth.
“Sorry if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“It doesn’t. I just don’t like that you’re scared of me.”
“That’s not why I’m looking at you. I…um…I like the way you look.”
Garridan raised his eyebrows in surprise. The longer he stared, the more Sage blushed. A pretty pink covered his neck and cheeks. It made Garridan want to pull him into his arms and never let him go.
“Can…um…we go inside?” Sage asked and shuffled his feet around.
Garridan nodded and let Sage go ahead of him. Garridan kept his gaze on Sage’s ass as they walked into the living room. Garridan wanted to find out if it was as round as it seemed through his clothing. If he never got permission to touch Sage’s ass then his hands would be ass-less for the rest of his long, long life, but he would still die a happy dragon because at least he’d get to spend time with his mate.
“Hi Sage,” Lucas said from his spot on the couch.
Garridan silently demanded that he leave the room.
Lucas winked at him and stood.
“Hi.” Sage looked shy.
When Lucas started over to Sage, Garridan growled.
“I’m just going to give you a hug, Sage,” Lucas said.
“Yeah, okay.” Garridan turned so he wouldn’t see his mate touching another man. His dragon was still too close to the surface for even an innocent touch like the one Sage gave Lucas. It was everything he could do not to demand Sage come to him.
Sage moved over on his own, though, and hesitated before taking his hand, lacing their fingers together. Garridan stiffened, surprised by the touch, but he relaxed a second later.
“I’m just going to help Bennett in the bedroom,” Lucas said and walked out.
Sage pulled him to the couch and they both sat. Sage released his hand and gave him the package. Garridan wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do with it.
“Open it,” Sage said and smiled, as if reading his mind.
Garridan tore the paper at the edge and then stopped to meeting Sage’s gaze, making sure he was supposed to tear it. Sage chuckled. “Haven’t you ever received a gift before?”
“I don’t remember.” Garridan pulled the paper off the package, wadding it up in his hand. “A book.”
It was red and had a simple title about grass on it. The author’s name was small and toward the bottom. Garridan opened it to a random page and stared at the words there.
