“How long have you been a relic hunter?”
“I started working with my father at fourteen and then left at eighteen and started working for myself. I’ve been a relic broker for ten years.” Tarek paused for a minute and then stated. “The label relic hunter is considered derogatory. I prefer relic broker.” He didn’t like hearing the insult coming from his beloved’s lips.
"I apologize. I will not use that term again." Cal instantly expressed his regret. He then reached over, took Tarek's hand, and held it loosely in his.
"I would like you to stay here with me, please don't leave." Cal implored. The request was a surprise since Tarek thought he would be the one begging to be allowed to stay.
"I'd like to stay, thank you." He responded quickly, not wanting the offer to leave the table. "I know I'm not what you were expecting when it comes to a Fated match, and if you would prefer to ignore the connection between us, I would understand." Might as well get everything out there.
Those words were pure torture, and the sudden wash of desperation that came over him nearly had him immediately backtracking. His hand gripped Cal’s tighter, and a fine sweat broke out across his brow.
"I'm a vampire, and I'm one hundred and forty-eight years old. That's a long time to wait for my beloved to enter my life. I've watched friends and acquaintances find their Fated bonds and begin their lives in earnest, and waited patiently for my own time to come. My time is now, and it is here with you. I will never let you go, and I will never walk away." He held Tarek's gaze fast and leaned into him, their faces inches apart. The tension was raw, and Tarek began to tremble.
His words were firm and honest and spoken from his heart. They also asked Tarek for everything and made a demand that felt more like a pledge. He wanted Cal, and the irresistible sense of belonging was taking him over.
Cal was offering so much, and he’d lived his life with so little. He claimed to prefer nothing and avoided the warmth and consideration that others valued, but deep down, all he wanted was for someone to care.
“It probably won’t be easy or pretty, but I'd like to give this a try. I've been on my own most of my adult life, so giving up any control will be slow, but my gut his telling me not to miss this chance at something more, fuller, and deeper. I don't know what I'm saying." He glanced away, uncomfortable, shaking his head.
"Nothing worth having is ever easy." Cal's voice was raspy with pent-up emotion, and Tarek knew where this was going, and he had no complaints. His hand slipped behind Tarek’s neck, and he was pulled in for a kiss that was both tender and utterly destroying.
CHAPTER THREE
Cal could not resist a moment longer. The sadness and hope that kept trading places in Tarek's eyes were driving him quickly over the edge. He needed this man in his arms. Tarek needed to fully understand that he was no longer alone. His heart went out to his beloved, and he wanted to give him everything he needed and everything he wanted. Cal just ached for him every touch, driving home just how much this man meant to him.
The kiss went on as Cal explored every inch of his mouth and lips and then trailed across Tarek's jaw just to return to those thick red lips and devour them once again. His hands held him fast, marveling at the sensations that coursed through him whenever flesh met flesh. He was so soft and warm, and he smelled like cedar and sunshine, so fragrant and invigorating.
The kiss eased, and hearts were pounding. The tension in the room had ramped up considerably, but it was a good kind: anticipation. Cal could sense that Tarek was tired; his day had been filled with calamity and danger, and his body needed rest. He'd let go of his fear, and now exhaustion was starting to take him. Cal held him and placed Tarek's head on his shoulder.
"You need to rest, Tarek." He told him Tarek agreed. He eased him onto the couch and let him stretch out. He found a couple of throw blankets, tucked them around him, and placed a pillow under his head. Cal crouched down and kissed him softly on the cheek before standing and watching him for a few minutes. It wasn't long before the handsome man was fast asleep.
Cal didn't take him to the bedroom upstairs because he didn't want him out of his sight. A fair amount of mystery and intrigue still revolved around the small man, and Cal wasn't going to take chances with his safety. Tarek would remain close so that Cal could keep an eye on him at all times. He went to the kitchen, poured himself a cup of coffee, and sat down.
His beloved was a complicated man, but his heart was good, and his instincts tended toward the ethical, so what he'd heard about relic brokers did not apply to his amazing beloved.
They'd gotten a bad reputation over the past century, as their objective tended to be getting the highest payout at any cost. They had caused unimaginable damage to individuals, communities, and the planet. The way they peddled magic and talismans was criminal and negligent.
Cal wondered what had transpired that made Tarek turn his back on his family and leave the family business. Then his mind focused on the Severine Codex and the fact that his beloved had found it, trapped it, and was prepared to deliver it to a kindred of witches.
None of that spoke to ethics or integrity, but he didn't give it to the witches; he brought it to Master DuCane. His beloved had a limit, a line he would not cross, and that was important.
There came a brief firm knock at his door. “Cal.” He recognized the voice as being Tate. They hadn’t been workingtogether for long and weren’t close, but they were building a friendship. Cal appreciated Tate checking in.
"Come in." He said as he opened the door and stepped back. Tate had wisely chosen the side door, which was the kitchen entrance. He sat at the table across from Cal and took the offered cup of coffee.
"Tarek is asleep on the couch in the living room," Cal stated, and Tate nodded and took a long sip of his coffee.
"How are you?" Tate asked the question. Cal smiled, and it was a true smile because the question was easy.
"He's my beloved, Tate, he's the man I've waited for, and here he is all messy and chaotic and beautiful, and it is fantastic." He finished with a wonderful laugh. "I thought I was losing my mind at first. Then I touched him and smelled the sweet scent of cedar, and everything was instantly clear.”
"I'm happy for you, Cal, jealous as hell but happy for you." Tate chuckled. "I'm a lot older than you." He reminded. "This beloved should have been mine."
“Maybe the next man that charges the gates screaming for help will belong to you.” Cal teased.
"I should be so lucky." They chatted lightly for a few minutes, and then Cal asked about the Codex. It was at the heart of the problem and would not be forgotten by those who had hired Tarek to retrieve it. His beloved would remain in danger until the issue was dealt with.
"Silas and that team of mystics locked it down and transported it to a facility the Master has at the Palace. It's secure, but I hear that the Master is looking into having it taken somewhere else, somewhere even more secure." Tate told him.
