“I’m not going to hurt him,” he heard Lucas say.
“I’m okay now,” Sage said to himself and clung just a bit tighter, not wanting Garridan to take that as a sign to let him go. He didn’t think he’d ever want to be away from Garridan again.
“Yes. You’re safe. I killed him.” Garridan growled at Lucas again. “Mine. Get away.”
“Oh. My. God. I hope I didn’t act like this when Bennett and I first got together,” Lucas said.
“He did. He was even mean to me once because he thought I was flirting with Bennett,”Sage whispered.
“You are mine.”
“I know.” And he did. He felt safer than he had before the kidnapping. “I know that now.”
Sage closed his eyes and breathed deeply for the first time in what felt like weeks.
Chapter Seven
“Well, I guess I’ll drive us back to Mother Estelle’s house, since neither one of you will move away from each other.” Sage heard Lucas say, but he didn’t pay much attention. Sage’s entire focus was on Garridan, on the fact that he was in Garridan’s arms and not freaking out. In fact, he was very comfortable. Although, he still shook with fear and didn’t want to let go of Garridan. He felt an overwhelming need for closeness.
Garridan climbed into the back seat. Sage adjusted himself on Garridan’s lap. Meeting his gaze. Garridan’s nakedness stole Sage’s focus. Garridan’s jaw clenched as Sage moved again and his fingers tightened on Sage’s waist, but he never made a move to take more.
“I don’t want to see the vampire’s body,” Sage whispered.
“He’s not alive.”
“Okay, but I still don’t want to see it.”
“Keep looking at me then,” Garridan said. The muscles in his jaw bunched and his eyes changed to his dragon’s.
“You’re hard,” Sage said.
“I know. I can’t help it.”
“You’re not making a move on me.” Sage didn’t know why that fact surprised him. He understood, from their little reading dates, that Garridan wouldn’t force him into anything he didn’t want. Of course, Garridan hadn’t been hard during that date. Or if he’d been, Sage didn’t know it.
The driver’s side door opened, and Lucas got into the car. He had the car in gear and still Sage didn’t look away from Garridan. Lucas turned in the street and started back to Mother Estelle’s house.
“Thank you for coming to get me,” Sage whispered.
“I’ll always protect you.”
“I’m starting to realize that.”
Blood covered Garridan’s face. Sage twisted just enough to get into the center console for a napkin. Sage was anal about not throwing extras away whenever he ate at the restaurant. It was awkward to reach around the lid thing to get his hand inside, though, but he managed it.
Lucas smiled.
“What?” Sage asked.
Lucas shrugged. “Nothing. It’s just cute that you’re all clingy.”
“I’m not better, Lucas.” Sage shut down Lucas’ train of thought right away.
“I know. I just think this might be a start though,” Lucas said.
“Yeah, maybe.” Sage grabbed a napkin and then turned back to Garridan. “You, um, have blood on your face.”
“I bit the vampire in half,” Garridan said, matter-of-factly.
