Chapter 9 Darius
Chapter nine
Darius
Kaleb unlocks the door to his place he shares with his best friend and roommate, Stacy.
The way Kaleb talks about her makes me eager to meet the person he calls family.
The moment the door closes behind me, I take in every detail, hoping to learn more about my mate—the photos of Kaleb and Stacy on the walls, a large TV in the corner of the living room, and the oversized plush sofa decorated with… wait.
“Are those mermaid throw pillows?”
Cleo jumps out of Kaleb’s hold and rushes off to the next room. Kaleb spins around and glances at his pillows with a grin. “Yeah,” he pulls his long blond hair out of its bun, leaving me momentarily speechless.
I don’t know why I forgot how long and beautiful his wavy hair is, but I stare dumbly at this pretty man like he’s my own personal siren calling me to his side. Images of those sexy mer leggings and crop top come to mind. My own little mer-witch.
I chuckle at the thought.
As soon as his hair is free of its confines, he picks up another throw pillow to show me. “I kind of have a thing for the ocean and ocean décor.”
The throw pillow he’s holding has tentacles on the pattern. My gaze bounces between the mermaid pillows and the tentacle pillows, and for some reason, my cheeks heat with embarrassment. Is he unconsciously attracted to ocean creatures because of me?
Inside, my kraken swirls around with joy, waving his blue tentacles wildly like a damn inflatable tube man trying to entice Kaleb to buy a used car. ‘Mate. Mate,’ he sings through the bond.
Kaleb’s head jerks up. “Did you say something?”
I gasp, momentarily shocked and thrilled. “What did you hear?”
“I could have sworn I heard the word mate.”
My inner kraken whoops with joy again. Hush, you!
Kaleb eyes me curiously before giving me a sweet smile.
“Anyway, make yourself at home. Stacy should be here soon. In the meantime, tell me more about yourself. Was anything you told me at the club true?” Kaleb walks into the kitchen.
The open floor of their apartment gives me a full view.
Kaleb opens the fridge and pulls out two water bottles.
I nod, taking a seat on the sofa. “Everything was true,” I reply, remembering how easily we clicked on Halloween. “I might have left out a few of the magical details, but I’ll be honest. I opened up more than I ever have with anyone else on a first date.”
A wide smile spreads across his face as he hands me a bottle of water. He pauses for a moment before joining me, his thigh brushing against mine as he sits. “First date?”
“Yeah. I think so.” I grin back. “Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah, I think so too,” he replies with a flirty tone. “You mentioned working for something called the Guard?”
“The Elite Guard, yes. I briefly mentioned that we protect other paranormals and humans from rogues. Rogues are paranormals who hurt others, and in the process, risk exposing us to normal humans who don’t know we exist.”
Kaleb nods, listening, and allowing me to continue.
“I was a magical tracker for years before I retired several months ago.”
“And now you own a tea shop? That’s a drastic change.”
“I do. It was a change I needed, and I absolutely love it. I’ll show you, assuming you still want to come back to Heart’s Hollow with me and meet your parents?”
The silence lingers. Kaleb’s eyes finally meet mine. “I do, but…I’m scared.”
“Is there something I can do to ease your fears?” I wrap my arm around Kaleb’s shoulders. He leans his head against my chest.
“Will you go with me to meet them?” he blurts. I’m surprised at the request. Of course, I’ll go with him. I’m just shocked he would even want me there for such a private moment.
“Definitely. If you want me there, I’ll be there.” I rub his arm comfortingly. “Any step of the way, as long as you need or want me to, I’ll help you through it. Promise.”
He smiles up at me, practically melting in my hold.
“We can go as soon as tomorrow. It’s only a two-hour drive, and up the coast.”
“Thank you.”
“What else would you like to know about me?” I ask, holding my breath. If he asks me what I am, I won’t lie.
My heart races as he thinks over my words.
“How old are you?” he asks, chuckling. “It isn’t fair; you know so much about me already. You know I just turned twenty-six, but I have no idea how old you are. Do shifters even age?”
I laugh. “We do age. Just slowly. I’m thirty-seven.”
“Hmm.” Kaleb hums. “I thought you were a lot older.”
His answer has me tickling his sides, causing him to squeal. “Are you saying I look like an old man?”
Kaleb laughs, squirming against me. “What!” he shouts. “No! That’s not what I meant.”
The pure happiness and joy displayed on Kaleb’s face have me lighting up inside.
I continue exploring his body with light touches and wandering fingers.
Gods, how I wish it were my tentacles touching him, my suckers teasing all his sensitive spots.
Kaleb squeals, trying to wiggle away. He sinks into the soft cushions of the sofa.
The next thing I know, he’s lying under me, my body pressing against his.
I lean down, about to press my lips to his, when a throat clears behind us. I scramble off his body as if we aren’t grown adults. Shocked, my head whips around. How the hell did someone sneak past my shifter hearing?
A young lady about Kaleb’s age stands there, hands on her hips and a wide grin on her face. She’s wearing a pair of tight jeans, a festive-looking red sweater, and a few ribbons in her hair, which is pulled back in a high ponytail. “Well, doesn’t this look cozy?”
Laughter sounds down the bond. “Stacy! You’re finally home. I want you to meet Darius.”
I stand, extending my hand and meeting her halfway. She eyes me curiously, eyebrow cocked and a slight smirk on her face. “Ah, yes. Mr. Sexy Worried.”
Kaleb chokes. “Oh my gods, Stace. That’s not going to be a thing. Don’t call him that.”
“Mr. Sexy Worried?” I laugh. What on Earth? “How have I been bestowed with such a nickname?”
Kaleb shakes his head frantically. “No, no, no, no. Don’t encourage her. Not unless you’re prepared to have that nickname for life.”
Even though I know he’s joking, my stomach gives a happy little flip. For life. Can he really see me here with them for life? My kraken whoops.
Stacy nods. “Oh, it’s so a thing. Mr. Sexy Worried is the same guy from Club Sip, right?” She glances at me, and I nod.
“Stacy—”
“No, it’s okay, Kaleb. I remember how worried Darius was when he was looking for you on the dance floor after you took off.”
“It’s true,” I confirm. “After you took off, I was afraid you got hurt.”
Kaleb waves a hand down his body in a dramatic sweep. “Well, as you can see, I’m all safe and sound.”
“Darius, are you joining Kaleb and me for dinner? I bought enough takeout to feed an army.” She points at the kitchen counter. Sure enough, there are bags filled with Chinese takeout containers. A lot of them.
“Sure, if that’s okay?” I pose it as a question, just in case Kaleb needs an out.
“You should stay for dinner.” Kaleb blushes before biting his lip. “And maybe you can stay the night?”
“Kaleb!” Stacy gasps, clearly shocked.
Kaleb stands up and rushes over to Stacy. They whisper in hushed tones, but with my supernatural hearing, it really doesn’t matter if they whisper.
“What?” Kaleb hisses. “Are you kidding me? I’ve never once complained when you bring a man or woman home. I never do this, and the first time I do, you complain?”
“That’s the thing, Kaleb,” Stacy hisses back. “You never let a guy stay the night. Are you sure? Is he pressuring you? I swear to all that is holy, if he is hurting you—”
“No, it’s not like that. He—uh. He—”
“He what? Has a magical dick?”
Kaleb giggles. “I don’t know, maybe?” That response makes me smile. Everything will be okay. I really should give them some privacy, though. Clearing my throat to alert them of my presence, I walk over to the edge of the kitchen.
Kaleb walks over to me, a worried look on his face. I chuckle low. “Maybe we can call you Mr. Sexy Worried too.”
“Only if you stay.” He pouts dramatically. Gods, even this facial expression is perfect. Fucking hell, I’m already so far gone for this man, it’s embarrassing.
“I’m just going to give you and your bestie some privacy to talk. I need to call my friend, Zero.” I lower my voice so only Kaleb can hear. “And your parents. They need to know you’re safe.”
Kaleb nods. “You aren’t leaving, though, right?”
“Nope. Not leaving without you,” I say in a teasing voice. This gets Kaleb to smile.
I begin to pull away, my phone already in hand, when Kaleb peers at Stacy from over his shoulder. Before I even realize what’s happening, Kaleb turns back, stands on his tiptoes, and presses a light, sexy kiss to my lips.
Stacy gasps.
Kaleb giggles.
And I make my way outside with a dopey grin on my face. Yeah. I’m totally screwed.
The crisp air is cold on my skin as I stand outside pacing back and forth, phone to my ear. Despite the icy chill, both my mer and my kraken sides can handle extremely cold temperatures. But just because I grew up in a mer pod deep in the ocean’s depths, doesn’t mean I like the cold.
“What do you mean, you and the Dumas heir have a connection?” Zero asks, voice stern. He might be retired from the Elite Guard, but I have a feeling it might take a long time for him to shrug off that take-charge warrior attitude. Once a leader, always a leader.
“That’s exactly what I said. Kaleb and I have a special connection.” I clear my throat, trying not to roll my eyes. Gods, why does it feel like I’m asking a parent’s permission? “I like him, Zero.”
Zero sighs. “I understand. But this puts us in a really awkward position. Autumn, Rook, and I recommended you to Lyra and Edwin. You’re the best tracker I’ve ever met. But if you’re fucking their son, they won’t be thrilled.”
“Gods, don’t fucking say it like that. We haven’t crossed that line.”
‘Yet.’ My inner kraken helpfully supplies.