Chapter 4
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.
“A pounding. Like…like someone was inside the trunk.”
Okay…that was weird. “Did you look inside the trunk?”
Gideon immediately shook his head, his hands tightening on his shirt.
“I was too afraid. After you dropped off the trunk, I talked to Ethan on the phone for a few minutes. I dusted off the trunk before bed and made plans for how I’d clean it up tomorrow night.
It was empty. I put three of my fluffy pillows with the silky tassels inside, then shut it.
No one else has been in my place tonight.
” His head popped up the second he finished speaking, glistening blue eyes wide.
“You don’t think a monster tore up my pillows, do you? ”
Ryder reached up and gently brushed some hair away from Gideon’s face. “I don’t. Why don’t you stay here while I go check your place?”
The man in his arms shocked him by shaking his head. “No, I can’t let you go by yourself. You don’t know what it is.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“No, I’m coming with you. I’ll watch your back.”
He wanted to argue, but he simply couldn’t. Not when Gideon somehow looked terrified and fierce at the same time.
“Okay. Just wait here.” Ryder climbed out of the bed and sat Gideon in his spot, wrapped in the blankets.
While Ryder preferred T-shirts and sleep pants regardless of the time of year, apparently Gideon slept in nothing more than silky boxers.
Not only did he appear cold, but he was also a distracting temptation.
If Ryder needed to do some protecting, he didn’t need to be distracted by all that lovely bare skin.
Crossing to his closet, he pulled out a long-sleeved shirt he had folded on the shelf and a pair of socks.
He returned to the bed and handed the shirt over to Gideon.
“Put this on,” he instructed, dropping it in Gideon’s hands.
He shoved the covers away, sat on the edge of the bed, and lifted Gideon’s feet into his lap.
With extreme care, he pulled his socks onto Gideon’s bare feet.
When Gideon didn’t move, he gazed at the vampire to find him watching Ryder with the most confused expression on his face. “What?” he grunted.
“Are you…I don’t know…like a secret prude? Does my bare skin bother you?”
Ryder jerked upright, eyes widening. “No!”
“I didn’t think so, but you’re always bundling me up and covering me. I’m a vampire. Plus, I dance in a cage almost completely naked five nights a week.” He still sounded confused and possibly on the verge of laughing as he stuffed his arms into the sleeves and lifted the shirt over his head.
Ryder dropped his gaze to Gideon’s sock-covered feet.
“That’s work. I don’t care about work. And I know that the cold doesn’t bother you because you’re a vampire.
But you’re at home now. When you’re at home, you enjoy being warm and surrounded by soft things.
You looked…cold,” Ryder finished softly, feeling like an idiot.
Gideon’s feet pulled out of his lap and as he was glancing up, Gideon launched his body at Ryder, wrapping his arms around his neck. “Thank you for taking such good care of me. For knowing the things that I like.”
He hesitated for a second before folding him into a tight hug.
There were no words. Not that it mattered.
Nothing was getting past the lump that had formed in his throat.
Of course, he knew the things Gideon liked.
He adored this man. There was nothing more important to him than making sure Gideon was safe, cozy, and happy.
As much as he wanted to stay exactly like that, it wasn’t fair for Gideon to be scared out of his home. He needed to investigate that noise so Gideon could get some sleep and feel safe.
“Let’s go check out this noise,” Ryder prodded.
Gideon didn’t immediately release him, but asked with his face still pressed into Ryder’s throat, “You don’t think I’m crazy or making it up?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Okay,” Gideon whispered, sounding as if he were gathering his courage. Ryder was about to remind him that he could remain behind in Ryder’s bed if he wanted, but Gideon wanted to support him. He wasn’t going to take that from Gideon.
Ryder led the way up the stairs with Gideon following close behind, two of his fingers pinching the back of his shirt. He quietly opened the door to Gideon’s kitchen and poked his head inside. All the lights were on, making it bright as the middle of the day.
“Did you turn on all the lights?” Ryder inquired. He glanced over his shoulder to see Gideon shake his head.
“Just one lamp in the living room and probably the bathroom light.”
The idea that this might be a practical joke played by Fox did briefly cross his mind.
Winter had installed a high-tech security system to the entire building that included metal shutters on all the windows, steel bolts on the exterior doors, and a state-of-the-art fire suppression system.
He wouldn’t put it past the crafty vamp to have the power to turn on all the lights in the place.
But as insane as the Varik brothers could be, he didn’t think they’d do anything to scare Gideon.
That meant someone was inside Gideon’s condo, and that would not do. His fangs slid down and ached to pierce flesh. He would destroy anyone who dared to threaten his Gideon.
Teeth clenched, Ryder edged into the kitchen. The air was chilly, far colder than he thought Gideon would normally keep the temperature at. Almost as if Gideon had left a window open and a winter wind had swept through, carrying with it the faded scent of roses.