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“We manage each other quite well, thank you very much,” Ethan said primly. “I gotta run. You think about it.”
“I’m not doing the shower thing,” Gideon replied.
“Pfft. Coward. Call me when you’ve got a better idea.”
Ethan hung up, and Gideon glared at his phone. The problem was that Ethan’s idea wasn’t all that bad, and Gideon didn’t have a better one.
Chapter4
Ryder
Near dawn, Ryder put aside the book he’d been pretending to read and shut off the new reading light Gideon had picked out for him tonight. His condo was now half-furnished, thanks to his neighbor’s immense efforts, but he had to face the fact that he couldn’t keep dragging his feet. The little vampire was good at decorating a place, even if Ryder couldn’t or wouldn’t offer any input.
It would take only one more shopping trip, and he would have everything he needed.
Fuck. He was pretty sure he already had way more than he needed. He’d never had so many possessions as a vampire. Now his new couch and extra-big chair that could accommodate him and even Gideon, if he were bold enough to pull the smaller vamp into his lap, would arrive in two days. He had a proper bed off the floor, with a sturdy frame and a nice wood headboard. His kitchen was full of dishes, pots, pans, and cutlery that he would probably never use. He had the fluffiest towels, the softest sheets, and several blankets identical to Gideon’s. All his books lined the new shelves. It appeared as if he might need another bookshelf after tonight’s haul, though.
In short, he was going to need another reason to keep interacting with Gideon during their free time, so he couldn’t go out searching for some stranger to date.
He’d thought this decorating thing was going to take much longer.
No, his real problem was that he should have kissed Gideon. They’d come so close in the parking lot until that asshole had distracted him. How dare anyone say something so vulgar to Gideon?
Of course, his sunbeam had laughed it all off.
But Ryder had felt out of step the rest of their evening together. Even carrying Gideon out to the truck hadn’t put his mind in the right place to try again.
He should have. He should have given Gideon a hug or a kiss on the cheek before leaving. Unfortunately, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He was awkward and hopeless, and maybe Gideon was better off finding someone more pulled-together to date.
Frowning into the darkness, he scrubbed a hand over his face and groaned at himself. He’d have to think of some new way to stick close to Gideon. It was clear he was becoming more confident and stronger. He didn’t need a big, bad protector shadowing his every move. And yes, part of him was happy that Gideon was growing in strength and confidence. But if Gideon didn’t need him as a protector, what use was he?
Just as he was closing his eyes, he started at the sound of a door in Gideon’s place being thrown open and banging on the wall. Hurried footsteps pounded down the stairs. Something was wrong.
Ryder threw off his covers and leaped out of bed. He was stepping out of his bedroom and heading toward the kitchen when Gideon erupted into his condo.
“Ryder!” he cried out.
He raced to the kitchen and immediately wrapped Gideon tightly in his arms, his hands coming into contact with chilled bare skin. Gideon clung to him, fingers twisting in the ratty old T-shirt he frequently slept in.
“I’ve got you. What’s wrong? What happened?” Ryder demanded.
“Something…something is in my place.”
Ryder could barely make out Gideon’s choked words as he kept his face pressed tightly to Ryder’s chest.
“Something? A person? Animal?”
“I don’t know!” Gideon half sobbed, clinging to him tighter. A tremor ran through his body.
This didn’t make any sense. What could be in Gideon’s home? With sweet tenderness, Ryder bent and swept Gideon into his arms. Cradling him close, Ryder carried him into his bedroom and climbed into bed with Gideon still in his arms. He wrapped his blankets around Gideon’s trembling form, trying to provide him with warmth and comfort until he was ready to talk.
“I was turning off the lights as I brushed my teeth. Just getting-ready-for-bed stuff,” Gideon mumbled into his chest.
Ryder nodded, his lips brushing the top of Gideon’s head. “I was getting ready, too.”
“I-I heard this weird rattle in the living room, so I went to check it out.” Gideon paused and swallowed hard. “And…and…I heard a pounding coming from the trunk.”
“I’m sorry?” Ryder could only blink at him.
