Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
JAMIE
T hey made it to the gray stone house without incident. Dinner was a quiet affair, only broken up by the frequent roar of a motorcycle driving by.
They’d just finished eating when Derek called. Sigurd put the phone on speaker and set it on the table so all three of them could hear.
“They’re bespelled. No matter what we ask, they only repeat the same thing over and over.”
Sigurd rested his elbows on the table. “What are they saying?”
“It’s Sigurd’s turn.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Wylder stood up and scrubbed at his hair. He really looked so much like Sigurd. Except for his eyes. And now Jamie knew those came from his Fae father.
Jamie looked at Sigurd. His eyebrows were scrunched together.
“I honestly have no idea. Other than someone who has some vendetta against me is using humans to do their dirty work. Any luck breaking the spell, Derek?”
“The coven is working on it, but you know how these things go. I’ll be surprised if they remember anything at all.”
“Yeah. Thanks for the update.”
“I’ll check back in later.”
The call ended, and Jamie had no idea what to say. Wylder had started pacing along the table, obviously trying to think of anyone who’d want to hurt his uncle. How had Sigurd managed to keep such a big secret for all this time? All Jamie wanted to do was to tell him everything.
“It’ll be alright, Wyld,” Sigurd said, standing to intercept him on his next circuit. He pulled Wylder into a hug, then leaned back, keeping his hands on Wylder’s shoulders. “Will you double-check the windows, make sure they’re locked and?—“
“And the runes are all clean and intact.” Wylder smiled. “Yeah, I got it.”
“Thanks, kid.”
“Yeah, yeah, old man.” Wylder walked toward the door still smiling. “Night, Jamie.”
“Goodnight.” It seemed early to be going to bed, but Jamie didn’t say that. It was more than likely that Wylder was just trying to give him and Sigurd some time to themselves. Now that they had it, Jamie couldn’t deny the nerves swarming around in his belly or how utterly exhausted he felt.
Sigurd gave him a soft smile. “You look a second away from taking a nap right there on the table.”
“I’m definitely tired. It’s been…a long few days.”
“You should sleep.”
“And you should tell Wylder everything you told me.”
Sigurd ducked his head with a sigh. “I know. I should’ve told him years ago.”
Jamie nodded and stood, making his way over to Sigurd. He paused for only a moment before sliding forward and slotting himself against Sigurd’s broad chest. Strong arms wrapped him up immediately. No hesitation. No uncertainty. Only warmth and the steady beat of a heart beneath his ear.
Sigurd held him tight, pressing a kiss to the top of his head and leaving his face there, breathing him in.
Nerves flaring in excitement, rather than fear, sparked through Jamie as he lifted his face.
Sigurd didn’t make him wait for this either, kissing him like it was simple. And Jamie supposed it was.
That easy press turned molten with the hot swipe of Sigurd’s tongue against his, and Jamie melted. He leaned in harder, getting his arms up on Sigurd’s shoulders and letting himself have this.
Arousal roared to life in his belly, replacing the butterflies with fireworks and a yearning he’d never really known.
He wasn’t new to dating or sex, but this want building in his chest was entirely unfamiliar.
He didn’t know he could feel like this. Didn’t know it was possible to be ready to give himself entirely to a man he’d only met the day before.
Sigurd pulled back with a panting breath and leaned his forehead against Jamie’s. “If we don’t stop, we’ll be doing a lot more than napping on that table.”
An elated laugh bubbled out of Jamie. “Yeah. That was…” He trailed off, not knowing how to put the tidal wave of emotion crashing through his chest into words.
“It was,” Sigurd agreed, blue eyes so sincere it made Jamie’s cheeks warmer than they already were.
That look and the undeniable heat still simmering between them gave him the courage to ask. “After you talk to Wylder, will you come stay with me?”
“Yes, please.”
SIGURD
That went better than he’d hoped. Of course, Wylder wasn’t happy with him exactly, but he seemed to understand Sigurd’s position and was getting ready for bed in the room he’d called his since he decided he was old enough to not sleep on the same floor of the house as Sigurd.
Which was a far cry from the outcome Sigurd had always imagined.
In his darkest iterations, Wylder stormed out and never spoke to him again.
A little tension was so much better than that.
Blowing out a slow breath, Sigurd let the feeling of Wylder and Jamie both safe under his roof sink in.
His mate was just down the hall.
He could hardly believe it.
Hopefully, Jamie was getting some much-needed sleep. Sigurd didn’t want to wake him, but he told Jamie he’d come to him after he spoke to Wylder. And honestly? There was nothing he wanted more, even if all they did was sleep. He wanted Jamie near. Wanted to feel his warmth and share his space.
Jamie had left the bedroom door cracked. Sigurd slipped inside and quietly closed the door behind him. Moonlight colored the room a soft silver.
Jamie was on his belly, covers pulled up to his shoulders, and arms tucked under his pillow. Smiling, Sigurd slipped off his shirt and pants, leaving him only in his briefs before he lifted the edge of the covers and, as gently as he could, he climbed in beside Jamie.
“Sig?” Jamie’s voice was sleepy.
“It’s me. Go back to sleep.” He scooted closer, sweeping a hand up Jamie’s bare back and pressing a kiss to his shoulder.
Jamie blinked his eyes open and rolled to his side, crowding into Sigurd’s space. “How’d it go?”
“Better than I’d hoped,” he whispered, relishing the feeling of Jamie’s bare skin against his. He was sleep-warm and cuddly in his half-awake state.
“Good.” Jamie wiggled closer and pressed a kiss against Sigurd’s chest. Then he hummed and slid an arm over Sigurd’s side so he could dance his teasing fingers over Sigurd’s back and down, skirting the waistband of his briefs.
“You’re sure?” Sigurd whispered even as his own hands started to wander. Jamie was all soft skin and lithe muscle. So different from his own bulk, but the strength Sigurd could feel was undeniable. Pushing the covers down, he rolled them, draping himself over Jamie.
“Of course, I’m sure,” Jamie said between drugging kisses. “You can’t tell me all this hotness is mine then bring it to my bed and not expect me to want a piece of it.”
Sigurd chuckled at the playful tone of Jamie’s voice, obviously much more awake than he’d been moments before. Gods, but he couldn’t wait to know everything about this man. Every playful tone. Every hope and dream. Every worry and fear. He wanted it all. “You’re right. How silly of me.”
Sigurd kissed him with every ounce of feelings swirling through him, groaning at the welcoming heat of Jamie’s mouth and eager tongue. “And Jamie?” he asked, pulling back just enough to hold his gaze in the dim light. “You don’t have to settle for a piece. You can have it all.”