“Let’s go home,” Seth said after a beat, his thumb brushing over Ryan’s knuckles.
“I don’t want to.”
“How about we go to my home, then?You can spend as much time as you want there.”
“I have groceries in the trunk.”
“We’ll put everything in the fridge, and you can take it to your parents tomorrow.”
They’d have questions and would be able to guess that something had happened, but Ryan would worry about that tomorrow.“All right.”
Ryan was relieved to have the time it took Seth to drive them back to pack territory to think.What was done was done, and even though Ryan was both proud of himself and freaking out over it, there was no changing it.There was also no reason to think that not doing it would have changed anything.The coven leaders hated anyone who stood up against them, which included the mages who’d left the coven.They’d have wanted revenge on Ryan even if he hadn’t told them to fuck off.Talking to them the way he had had just moved him to the top of their to-kill list, but he’d already been on it.
*
BY THE TIME SETH PARKEDthe car in front of his house, Ryan felt better.He enjoyed the domesticity of them bringing in the groceries and putting away what needed to be refrigerated.It was almost as if they lived together, which was something Ryan was surprised to realize he wanted.It was too soon, though, wasn’t it?He and Seth had barely gotten together.Ryan shouldn’t already be thinking about living with Seth, but he could imagine what it would be like, and he desperately wanted it.
“Living room is there,” Seth said, pointing his finger.“I’ll get you something to drink.”
Ryan wandered into the room, looking around for signs of Seth and Thomas.Standing in the quiet of the living room, Ryan felt the last remains of fear drain from him.The space was warm and lived-in, the scent of pine and leather wrapping around him like a blanket and reminding him of Seth.He’d been there for Ryan.He’d supported him.
“You should stay the night,” Seth said, his voice breaking the silence.
Ryan hesitated, his gaze flicking to Seth’s face.He wanted to say yes because he wasn’t ready to talk to his parents, but Seth didn’t live alone.“Thomas?”
“He’s out for now,” Seth said quickly, a hint of pink rising to his cheeks.“It’s just us.”
The words lingered in the air.Ryan’s heart raced, even though Seth hadn’t said or even implied anything.
Seth stepped closer, his free hand rising to brush a strand of hair from Ryan’s face.The touch was tentative, but Ryan’s breath hitched.“You’re safe here,” Seth murmured.
Ryan’s eyes fluttered shut.Safe.It was a word he wasn’t used to.He’d never been truly safe when he’d lived with the coven.None of them had been.
But he was now, and he wanted more.He wanted to feel safe for the rest of his life, to never have to worry about the coven again.It was a pipe dream, but he couldn’t help it when it felt like that was what Seth was offering.
When Seth’s lips brushed against his, it was soft, a question more than a demand.Ryan’s response was immediate.He pressed closer and reached for Seth, eager to be distracted.The kiss deepened, slow and exploratory, igniting a heat that spread through Ryan’s body.This was what he needed.
Seth’s hands moved to Ryan’s waist, his touch firm but gentle.Ryan trailed his fingertips up to the nape of Seth’s neck and curled his fingers into Seth’s hair.
They broke apart for air and rested their foreheads together.Ryan didn’t want to be away from Seth right now, so it was good that Seth seemed to feel the same way about him.His eyes were dark, and he was still gripping Ryan’s waist like he was afraid Ryan would move away if he let go.
“Stay,” Seth breathed.
Ryan’s cheeks flushed.“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good.”Seth’s hands moved to the hem of Ryan’s shirt, fingertips brushing against the bare skin of his waist.“Can we go upstairs?”he asked, his voice hesitant.
He didn’t have to explain what he was asking for, and Ryan was there for it.“Yeah.”
Seth took Ryan’s hand and pulled him out of the living room.Ryan laughed as they stumbled up the stairs.He wanted to see more of the house, but it could wait until later.
Much later, he hoped.
They made it to the top of the stairs, and Seth almost fell on his face.Ryan held him up, laughing until Seth kissed him and reached for his t-shirt again.“Can I?”
Ryan nodded, his throat suddenly dry.The shirt came off slowly, with Seth’s hands trailing over Ryan’s skin as he pulled it up and off.Every brush of his fingers sent shivers down Ryan’s spine.When Seth’s lips found his neck, Ryan let out a soft gasp and gripped Seth’s shoulders.He needed to hold onto something because he already felt like he was about to fly out of his skin.
“You’re beautiful,” Seth murmured against Ryan’s skin.
