CHAPTER FOUR #2
The bonding discussion was not difficult since he’d heard of bonding before, but had attributed it to mythology rather than a real-world occurrence.
But he could not deny what he felt from the very beginning when he first laid eyes on Damien, and he knew for a fact that his desire and drive to be with him grew with each passing encounter.
His mind immediately grasped the fantastic the moment Damien completed the bond.
The sex and the bite all came together to explode his reality and show him the entirety of the world.
It should have been frightening, or at the least unnerving, but it was neither.
He didn’t know the details, but he accepted that his life was on the right course.
He had things to deal with and a job to complete, and in the middle of it all was an exciting relationship with a devilishly handsome man. Life was looking good.
Rhett entered the outer room fully dressed this time, and Damien's disappointment was obvious. Rhett grinned, enjoying his power and ability to make the dark, somber man sweat. He took a seat at the table that Damien had set and accepted the mug of coffee he offered.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I went with the basics." He said, and Rhett noticed eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, coffee, orange juice, and a fruit plate. It was quite a layout.
"Looks great, thank you." He tucked in, enjoying every part of breakfast, especially the part where Damien looked at him like he was the center of his world.
“I’m going to have to explain to Mr. Rose that I can't organize a crew." He might as well get down to basics since it was true, and there was no way he could finish the job on his own.
“Master Rose.” Damien corrected. “He has faith in your ability to see this job through." He finished, and Rhett looked at him in confusion.
“I don’t have a crew.”
“You have a crew.” He said and finished his coffee. “I called in a favor, and you have enough manpower to finish this job.”
“Damien, thank you.” Rhett was beside himself with relief. “I don't know how you managed, but thank you.” He gushed.
“You don’t need to thank me, I’m your beloved, I will always be there for you." He shook his head, as if the idea of gratitude was unnecessary, but Rhett needed to never take kindness for granted.
“You did me a solid and I appreciate it.” He reiterated. Damien looked at him with those dark eyes that saw through everything with the heat of a thousand suns, and he smiled.
“You’re welcome.” His voice was deep and clipped, and the smile remained.
“I like you a lot and not just because you can fuck like a god.
I see you, I see your heart, and I like what I see.
The paranormal stuff will take some time to process, but I'm getting there.
" Rhett felt comfortable expressing more of his feelings.
This stuff could be god awful heavy if he let it, but it didn't need to be torn apart or analyzed.
He knew this man, and he trusted him completely.
Damien called it the awakening, and that's exactly how it felt. Life was broader and fuller. Yesterday, he thought his business was finished and his credibility with it. Today, life had completely turned around for him in more ways than one.
"I like you too, sweetheart, more than you can imagine. I understand your need to process, but I ask that you lean into the awakening; it will help you. As I mentioned last night, you will experience both mental and physical changes. You will recognize the paranormal when you see it, and you must remember not to react to it. Our anonymity is paramount to our survival.” Rhett nodded, understanding totally that such information can never be divulged.
“Your hearing, eyesight, and even strength will improve. It’s different for each person.
You will start to see some of these changes even today.
Like I said, if you have any questions, just ask.
" He reached across the table and took Rhett's hands, holding them loosely.
"There are things to work out, but we have time.” He paused and then quickly added.
“I would like for you to move in here with me as soon as possible.”
“Am I in danger?” Rhett felt a pang of worry attached to Damien’s last request.
"You're beloved of a vampire, which makes you the single most important thing in my life. Some beings might take advantage of that fact and try to use you for their own ends." Damien was being careful with his words, but Rhett could read between the lines.
“I could be taken and used as blackmail?" He asked, and Damien gave a curt nod.
“Moving won’t be too difficult since I’ve been living in my storage building for the last few weeks. It saved money, which I needed to finish this job. I figured I'd find something after." Damien looked horrified for just a second, and then he covered the look with a severe frown.
"If I'd known, I would have brought you here sooner." He stated.
“We just met Damien.” Rhett reminded softly.
"We'll pick up your things, and you're moving in today."
“Okay, you’ll get no fight from me.”
“Good.” That was settled, and Damien seemed relieved. Rhett was touched by his genuine concern for his welfare. Rhett had some friends and had been in relationships, but he’d never felt valued the way Damien made him feel valued.