“Nothing, Daddy,” Star said with fake innocence, hoping the other man would back off.
He was grappling with the information he had just read and thought that he was now essentially bound for life when he wasn't even sure if they loved each other. He knew for certain he was attracted to Anubis, but would attraction be enough?
Should I tell Anubis everything about my past and that I'm still learning the ways of magic now, or wait and see what happens?
“Why were you staring at your phone so intently?”
“Um...actually, I was reading an email I got from Fiona reminding me about a shoot I have on Monday before I head to the set,” Star lied, feeling terrible about it but hoping Anubis didn't realize what he'd done. According to his research, pheromones played a big role in finding mates and helped distinguish their lover’s mood, from happy, sad, or aroused. He hadn't seen anything about being untruthful, but with magic, one never knew. He kind of figured out what Anubis’s pheromones were, sandalwood mixed with rosewood, but had no idea what his own was.
Should I ask Anubis what I smell like to him? Would he tell me? Or would the question sound weird, letting on that I’m new to this whole magical world thing? Fuck, life shouldn’t be this damn complicated.
It now made sense why Chase kept pushing him to do his research. If only he had done so much sooner, he would have known that Anubis was his mate months ago. Initially, he was so shocked about everything he heard that he wasn't in the right frame of mind to accept things so neatly. It took him a while to understand why he was reincarnated. He could understand why Chase wanted him to learn about himself and the world he lived in without being told everything. It hadn’t gone unnoticed to Star that he hadn’t experienced a panic attack in a long time. He wasn’t under the illusion that they were completely gone, but he could handle things a lot better now than before.
Star had been so deep in thought he hadn't realized Anubis was staring at him for fuck knew how long.
“Get dressed. Remember, I wanted to take you somewhere,” he said instead, walking over to the dresser and switching his watches.
Star got out of bed and walked up to the taller man. “Anubis, there is something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?” Anubis turned, looking at him expectantly.
Star opened his mouth to spill everything, yet the words he wanted to say didn’t come out—rather, it was a surprising confession. “I like you. It might sound high schoolish or crazy to hear me say that, but I've been attracted to you for a long time. Hell, before I knew it was you, I pretended the man I was with was you. I want you to understand that I regret nothing we did that first night or last night.” As he spoke, he felt the truth of his words. “That time in your apartment, I wanted you so badly, and it scared me how much. I didn't understand at the time. I was so caught up in my goals and protecting myself that I didn't see what was before me. I get that sometimes I’m oblivious to things around me, or I’d ignore signals that something is wrong, and as much as I try to change those aspects, I can’t seem to get it right. But once I’m with someone, I become dependent and cling to them.”
Star went to say more, but Anubis silenced his ramblings. “Shhh, it's okay, baby. You don't need to explain any more.” He cupped both his cheeks. “I feel the same way. I've also had failed relationships. I told you last night that I can be a bit overbearing, and as much as I try to change that aspect of myself, I can't. And it will be hard since we just became mates and have different career goals. Who said I want or need you to change? I’m attracted to you, Star. You already fit me like a glove.”
He waggled his eyebrows, making Star giggle. “But you're not the only one who gets attached. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d want to know where you are or what you’re doing every second you’re out of my sight.” He cupped the back of Star's head, squeezing it before releasing him.
“What if I always want to keep you in my sight? I'm sure you get flirted with quite a lot. You’re hot as hell. Maybe I should lock you away and not have anyone else look at you,” Star grumbled.
“Do I hear that jealousy in your tone?” Anubis smirked.
“Don't get too full of yourself,” Star said jokingly.
“I'm not the only good-looking one in this relationship. I know many men have asked you out or wanted to. Even if you don’t realize it, you’re an alluring man. People are instantly attracted to you. After all, I was the second I saw you.”
“It seems we both have a jealousy problem.”
Pulling Star flush against his body, Anubis drawled, “Indeed. We have a lifetime to work out the kinks, so to speak, in our relationship. I like you, Star. I like the way you make me feel. And although I tried, it's hard to fight fate, and that's what I've been doing since I saw you.”
Their lips met in a gentle kiss, and Star's worries seemed to fall away, and he felt that he didn’t need to tell Anubis about his past. Instead, he needed to learn about the world he was living in. Being in Anubis's arms made him feel safe. Why should he question things at this point in the entire scheme of things? Nothing was going to change. Fucking hell, he was married now, and according to his research, it was until death do them part. And he had no plans on killing anyone now or in the future. But a thought lingered deep in the back of his mind. If someone hurt Anubis or the ones Star cared about, he would not hesitate to show just how sharp his claws could be.
Let's hope nothing happens. I want to be happy and take things one step at a time and see how it goes. Hell, who knows? I might not mind getting pregnant.
A giddy feeling bubbled up in Star, and he leaned into Anubis’s warm embrace.
* * *
Anubis smiled proudly,watching Star walk around the bar set ofMy One-Night Standhappily. Aelara Shadowpaw, the set designer, had informed him that everything was completed, and Anubis wanted Star to be the first to see it before they officially started shooting in a couple of weeks. He licked his lips, not taking his eyes off the man's pert ass fitting perfectly in the jeans he had picked out. His gaze drifted up to Star's stomach when he turned around to look at something.
Anubis had caught a glimpse of Star looking up information on male pregnancy. Even as a god, Anubis knew he couldn’t rush nature, and things had to happen in their own time. But the possibility of Star being pregnant with his child brought a bigger smile to his face. Anubis knew he should have called Star out on his lie, but he wanted the other man to trust him. Their union was a little unconventional, so Anubis planned to give Star some room and let things develop naturally, so he decided not to tell Star that he was a god or about Kebechet yet. He didn’t want to have his lover running for the hills when he learned that he had a grown daughter. Besides, he wanted to get to know and make love to his mate without interruptions.
“Why are you smiling like that?” Star asked Anubis.
“I'm thinking of making love to you right here and now.”
“Hey, none of that,” Star chided. “You promised we'd be good when we're on set.”
Even though they were officially mates, Star still wanted to keep their relationship on the hush-hush. “There's no one around, love, so we can do whatever we want.”
