Garridan made a noise that indicated he would do whatever Sage wanted. He wasn’t making a judgment about the laundry. “Why don’t you stop, for a few minutes.”
“I need to find pants so I can leave the room, Garridan. The washer and dryer are in the basement.” Sage rummaged around in the drawer, his frustration growing with each passing moment. He slammed the dresser drawer closed and moved over to the closet. Garridan heard hangers sliding around on the metal bar and then Sage sighed in frustration, going down on his hands and knees. His ass was just about the only thing Garridan could see sticking out of the closet. “Not one single pair of pants at all. This is just fucking perfect.”
Garridan gritted his teeth at the picture Sage made, his eyes changing to his dragon’s. Garridan’s cock got hard when Sage wriggled his ass. “I’ll start laundry and ask Lucas if he has something you can borrow.”
Sage’s head popped out of the closet, looking a little flushed. “Can we go to my house to get more of my things?”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
Sage smiled at him. Finally.
“Come here.”
Sage stood, closing the closet door, and started across the room to him. When he got close enough, Garridan brought his hands up to Sage’s waist. He pulled him gently, urging him to sit on his lap.
Sage balked. “I have things to do today, Garridan. I really need those pants.”
“I want to cuddle you. Maybe get a kiss. Think you can work that into your busy schedule?”
Sage’s dark eyes sparkled with mischief. “I don’t know. It might cost you.”
“What’s the price?”
“Um…Well, I haven’t thought of that.”
“Sit down and we’ll negotiate.”
Sage chuckled as he straddled Garridan’s lap. Sage touched his chest and leaned forward, placing a kiss on his lips. Garridan pulled Sage closer and ran his hands up under his shirt, touching his warm skin.
He felt Sage’s body relax against him, which had been the intention all along. Something had Sage wound too tight. He had woken up that way and as of yet Garridan hadn’t figured out why. It was nice to see him finally relax.
By the gods, his mate tasted good. He wouldn’t ever be able to get enough. He licked at the seam of Sage’s lips, urging him to give in, let him get more of a taste. Sage opened his mouth and Garridan deepened the kiss.
Fingers worked the buttons of Garridan’s shirt. Was Sage even aware he did it?
Sage touched his bare chest, his fingers flitting over his nipple, making Garridan moan.
Garridan moved his hands down Sage’s back, settling right above his ass. God, he wanted inside Sage more than he wanted his next breath, but he wouldn’t ever say that. He had to let Sage take the next step. Still, he ached just thinking about it.
Sage pulled back, ending the kiss, and looked at him. Garridan brought a hand to Sage’s face, cupping his cheek. Sage moved into the touch, turning his face just enough to kiss the palm of Garridan’s hand. When Sage turned back again, Garridan saw the uncertainty. Those big brown eyes held so much.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Garridan asked.
“I can tell you want to make love to me. I want to, but I’m afraid I’ll freak out,” Sagesaid.
“Am I making you feel like you have to?” The last thing he wanted to do was make Sage feel pressured. That wasn’t going to help Sage come to terms with the kidnapping and rape. That was something he had to do on his own. Just like it wasn’t going to help Garridan if he went off half-crazy and killed every single one of the vampires that held him captive for so long. Some things needed a more delicate touch.
Sage was teaching Garridan all about how to be a bit more sensitive to both of their needs and he didn’t even realize it.
“No. I know you’d never force me or make me feel bad for not wanting to.”
“Then what has that look on your pretty face.”
Sage averted his gaze, breaking eye contact. “I’m worried about disappointing you. What if I never can?”
“Then we’ll do other things,” Garridan said.
“Yeah, but…”
