Page 21 of Ridge

Ridge hadn’t thought it possible, but Kael’s eyes went even wider. “You’re purring,” he murmured, sounding like he was in awe.

“I am. It’s my caracal.”

“So that’s the kind of shifter you are? A caracal?”

“It is.”

Kael nodded and shifted just a little closer. “And it’s purring because you like what’s happening right now?”

“What’s there not to like? You’re close to me for the first time since we met. Both me and my cat are happy.”

“Would you be happier if something happened between us?”

“You don’t have to push yourself, Kael. I’ll only take what you’re willing to give.”

“I don’t know what I’m willing to give. I don’t know what I want. Everything’s overwhelming, and I feel like I need to focus on the job.”

“You probably should.”

“But focusing on the job doesn’t mean I can’t kiss you.”

Ridge held his breath when Kael pressed his lips to Ridge’s lightly. He didn’t dare move or even breathe. He didn’t want to send Kael running, even though Kael had been the one to take the first step.

That was something else Ridge hadn’t expected. His mate was brave—much more so than he seemed to think himself.

A knock at the door made them spring apart. Kael moved so far that he almost fell off the bed, and Ridge had to grab his arm to pull him back. Poppy didn’t enter, but she did clear her throat. “The meeting’s in an hour. I thought you might like to have breakfast first.”

“We’ll be right there,” Ridge called out.

He heard her walk away, and by the time he turned back to Kael, it was to see him scurry into the bathroom.

Ridge sighed and flopped onto his back. He supposed it was better that it had ended like that, at least for now.

*

UNFORTUNATELY FOR HIM, the kiss was all he could think about as they headed out. Kael didn’t seem to have the same problem. He followed Poppy, nodding at whatever she was saying, focusing on the new people they met. Ridge lost track of the names right away, but Kael didn’t seem to. He eagerly shook hands and even accepted hugs, which had Ridge tensing up.

Then, of course, he was pulled into the conversation. Poppy was holding him and Kael up as an example of how demons and shifters could live together. She didn’t know they weren’t actually together, although maybe they were. Ridge had no idea.

“You really think we demons have mates out there?” a woman of about thirty asked. She sounded hopeful.

Kael grinned at her. “Maybe not all demons, but you won’t ever find out if you don’t go out, right? I certainly didn’t expect to have a mate, yet here I am.”

“How is it? How does it feel?”

Kael glanced at Ridge before quickly looking back at the woman. “I’m not sure I can actually describe it. I’ve never been in love before, so I don’t really have anything to compare it to, but as soon as I met Ridge, I knew that I wanted to be close to him. I didn’t understand why, but maybe I should have. I just didn’t expect to have a mate since I’m a demon.”

“Does the bond force you to do anything?” a man asked.

“No. The bond doesn’t force anyone to do anything, not even shifters. It just means that two people are perfect for each other in all the ways they can be. It means that as long as we allow the bond to grow and work on our communication, we can be happy together. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s more than you can get with any other relationship, isn’t it?” He glanced at Ridge again. “And even though Ridge and I don’t know each other well yet, I already know for sure that he’ll do anything in his power to make me happy. That’s always going to be his priority, and I don’t think I ever believed I would have that. You know how difficult it can be in our communities. We’re so isolated, and if you don’t find someone who already lives in your town, you run the risk of staying alone. I never wanted that for myself, but I thought it might happen. I’m sure the same goes for most of you.”

A few people exchanged glances, telling Ridge that they felt the same way. It was a little sad. Ridge hadn’t really thought about that kind of situation before, but Kael was right. What happened when a demon didn’t find someone they wanted to share their life with in their village? They weren’t allowed to leave, and no one was allowed in. That meant they might have to be alone for the rest of their lives.

But not Kael. Kael had found Ridge, and as long as he was willing, Ridge would do everything in his power to make him happy. Ridge still didn’t know what that would look like, but he didn’t need to know right now. He and Kael were mates, and as Kael had just said, that meant they were perfect for each other.

* * * *

KAEL FELT LIKE A FRAUD. He understood why Poppy was using him and Ridge as an example so that other people would understand that demons and shifters could coexist without hurting each other, but he and Ridge weren’t together, or at least, he didn’t think so.