Chapter 5

5

R ush switched the light off, then waited a couple of minutes before stepping close to the window. He stood off to one side so Raydon wouldn't notice him and watched his mate. He knew Raydon stood guard at night. He'd spotted him not long after he moved to Salutem, when he'd been up with Kelly. As he soothed her back to sleep, he saw the demon standing outside, watching.

At first, it had scared him, worrying that he had a stalker. When he'd talked with his brother, Sax told him it would be instinctive for Raydon to watch over him and the girls. As his mate, it would be Raydon's responsibility to take care of Rush and make sure he was safe.

So, Rush went to bed each night and waited, then watched his mate guard over him and his girls. It made him feel warm inside now, the fear having vanished. Raydon did nothing but watch and that comforted him, knowing they were in safe hands.

His talk with Sax and Jim also helped—learning from Jim's perspective about the mate bond, the pull and need to be with their mate, the necessity to make sure they were safe. How it became a shifter's priority to make sure their mate was secure and that nothing could harm them. Even more so given what was happening.

He noticed Cy approach Raydon, watched them talk, then Cy walked away a few minutes later. It was at that moment Rush decided to invite Raydon inside. They needed to talk. He'd moved to Salutem for work and to be closer to his mate, but also because he needed to find his own path in life.

He'd lived with his parents, then fled to Morefield and lived with his brother. Now, he lived alone with his daughters, but for how long? Jim had said he would feel the need to be with his mate, and the longer he resisted, the harder it would become.

Picking up his phone, Rush messaged Raydon. Do you want to come in?

He waited and saw Raydon pull his phone out of his pocket, read it, then glance up at the window. Swallowing, Rush blew out a breath when Raydon crossed the road and made his way to the front door. He chewed on the corner of his lip as he waited for Raydon to knock.

Footsteps approaching had Rush holding still and then there was a quiet knock on the door. Rush unlocked, then opened it, and there stood his mate. Inhaling, Rush stared at Raydon, then stepped to one side and invited him inside. Raydon walked in and waited as Rush shut and locked the door.

"Rush. Thank you for inviting me into your home."

"I figured we should talk. Since I've moved here, we've barely found the time. Well, apart from…"

"I have been helping to keep the residents of Salutem safe, and you needed time after we spoke in the coffee shop."

"I've seen you outside."

Raydon nodded, his purple eyes swirling. Rush felt like he was falling into them, but it didn't scare him at all. If anything, it made him feel safe, like he was cocooned in warmth. "You are important to me."

"Do your eyes always do that?"

Raydon blinked slowly, and when he opened them, his eyes no longer swirled. "I forget you are not used to it."

"Is it how they are normally?" Rush didn't want Raydon to hide any part of himself. If this was how his eyes normally were, then he should be able to show them to his mate.

Raydon nodded. "Intense emotions make them behave that way. Similar to when a vampire's eyes glow red."

"I make you feel intense emotions?"

"You are my mate. Of course you do."

Rush licked his lips. "Don't know how I feel about that," he whispered.

"I understand it takes longer for humans. I'm willing to wait for as long as you need."

"I… Thanks…er…yeah." Rush gulped. Wow. "But what about you? How does it make you feel to wait for me?"

Raydon smiled and slowly lifted his hand to trace a finger down Rush's cheek. Rush held his breath, watching Raydon's eyes swirl. "I have finally found my mate. I am happier than I have ever been before. We all want our mate, and I have been lucky to find you. You are perfect to me. Waiting for as long as you need is fine. I have waited my whole life for you, so this time now is inconsequential."

Rush leaned into Raydon's soft touch. "I…thanks." Licking his lips, Rush asked, "Do you want a drink?' The words came out in a rush, and he ignored the way his cheeks heated.

"I would like one."

Rush moved into the kitchen and stood in front of the counter. "Sorry, erm… What?"

"Water would be nice, thank you."

Rush nodded and grabbed a glass from the cupboard, then moved to the fridge. Opening it, he grabbed the bottle of water and poured some into the glass, then handed it to Raydon. He put the bottle of water away and closed the fridge just as Raydon placed the glass on the counter. Rush turned around and stood facing this demon who was his mate and left him feeling so confused.

Raydon leaned closer, his strange swirling eyes capturing Rush's. Rush held his breath when Raydon slid his lips over Rush's, then moved back. Rush licked his lips, noticing Raydon's eyes drop to watch. Raydon's finger traced his lips, and Raydon kissed him again. Rush sighed, his eyes closing. Soft and gentle, Raydon kissed him with barely any pressure, and when he moved away, Rush leaned forward, wanting more.

Opening his eyes, Rush watched Raydon as he watched him. "Raydon?" He wasn't sure what he was asking for, but when Raydon kissed him again, he knew. Still soft, still gentle, Raydon traced his lips with his tongue, and Rush parted his lips, letting Raydon's tongue touch his own.

This was their first kiss, and Rush's first kiss with a man or demon. He wasn't quite sure what he should be thinking about Raydon, but he knew Raydon could kiss. His tongue licked the inside of Rush's mouth, teased Rush's tongue, licked his lips, then danced with Rush's.

Rush moaned and gasped, his hands moving to rest on Raydon's waist as the demon pulled him closer—their bodies touching. Raydon's body felt hard against his, and Rush trembled as he stepped back. He suddenly shivered, his eyes wide as he stared up at Raydon, realizing how much bigger he was compared to Rush.

He'd known Raydon was larger, taller, too, but feeling it, being in close contact with it, had him pulling away. Raydon could hurt him if he wanted to, and Rush had to think about his daughters.

As if Raydon could read his mind, he whispered, "You are safe with me. I would rather die than hurt you."

"I'm sorry." Rush wrapped his arms around himself and looked away, his head dropping. A finger under his chin raised his head, but he avoided looking into Raydon's eyes.

"Don't apologize for fearing the unknown."

"Why are you nice and understanding?"

"I have had time to think, and I spoke with Cyan. He understands these things. I am to be patient with you."

"You already have been." Rush waved a hand over Raydon's body. "You're just so much bigger than I am, and I'm not small."

"It may seem like I am, but there are only a few inches difference between us."

"But you're so… wide…" Rush stared at Raydon's chest, which appeared to be twice the size of his.

"I am a demon. We are born that way, and it means I can protect you and your daughters if anyone or anything comes for you. My place is in front of you should danger come."

Rush turned away and bit his lip. "I'm being so stupid," he muttered.

"No, you are facing something unknown."

"Why are you so understanding?" Rush glanced at him then quickly away. "I'm being…" Hadn't he already said that? Raydon's hand landed on his shoulder and turned him around. Rush looked up and gave him a wobbly smile. "Sorry."

"Never apologize for the way you feel." Raydon tipped Rush's head up and kissed him. Rush sighed into it and chased his lips when he pulled away. "Another?"

"Please." Rush rose up on tiptoe, sucking Raydon's tongue into his mouth, surprising himself with his own boldness, especially when he reached around Raydon and grabbed his muscular ass. Raydon moaned and grabbed Rush's hips, pulling him close. Rush felt Raydon's long thick erection and whimpered. One day, he would see it, touch it, taste it.

Raydon moved them, and Rush broke the kiss when he felt the wall against his back. "Nothing more," Raydon murmured as he kissed him again. Rush arched into Raydon, his erection rubbing against Raydon's hip and then he shuddered when Raydon touched him, his hand cupping and squeezing his dick. Then it suddenly disappeared. "Sorry."

"No! I like it." Rush took Raydon's hand and held it, suddenly unsure what to do. Raydon trailed his fingers down the length of Rush's dick, and Rush watched, holding his breath.

"One day, there will be nothing between us."

Rush moaned and pushed into Radon's touch. "I… Yeah… I like…"

Raydon chuckled and tipped Rush's head up for another kiss as his hand caressed Rush in a way that had him trembling. Deep and powerful, Raydon kissed him, and Rush melted into it, his hips pushing up into Raydon's hand as he stroked Rush's dick through his jeans.

A soft cry came from the bedroom, and Raydon kissed him once more before easing back. Stroking his fingers down Rush's cheek, he murmured, "Your family needs you." Stepping back, he added, "I will see you again." Then he disappeared.

Rush stared at the spot where he had been standing, then shook himself. Erin cried again, and he smiled as he walked to her room. He wanted to see Raydon again, too, and soon.