Page 22 of Undesirable
Gemini rubbed his forehead. Frost couldn’t lose him, but he saw why he felt that way. It was Gemini’s fault. He fought so hard to be everything that he was actually doing nothing to ease Frost’s burden. Frost always fought like hell for them. He always ran on empty to make sure Gemini feltseen too.
He dropped his hand, intent on swearing he would find a way to fix things. Celeste vanished. The front door opened, and Frost walked inside.
Gemini sat his trash bag aside and moved to greet Frost. “Hey, baby.” He swept Frost off his feet. “Come on. You can slobber cry all over me as you tell me all about this latest Were pregnancy loss. I’ve got you.”
He wasn’t the least bit surprised when Frost’s first tear fell. Celeste was right. Frost needed him, but not to physically save him. He craved a lifeline to cling to in the exhaustion he had been dropped into. Gemini could do that. He could do anything. As long as he got to hold Frost, he would be whatever his mate called upon him to be. It was love.
Chapter Eight
Admittedly,Rikuhadbeena little scared to explore past the bedroom and sitting room of his new home. He hadn’t been sure where he was allowed or what he would find. After a couple of weeks of being nosey, he realized the place had some sort of glamor cast over it. At first, he thought Lucifer was just zapping to wherever he went sometimes because he didn’t want to believe his eyes, but no. Lucifer walked through walls. Once he realized certain doorways were simply hidden, and Lucifer was the only one who could see them,he felt a little ridiculous. Unfortunately, he regretted asking about it the moment he learned the doorways led to places he shouldn’t be… nor did he want to go. The rest of the home looked like the old castle it was, except with all the modern updates and everything was gold. Riku loved it. I reminded him of his favorite times throughout history.
He didn’t get as bored as he feared. With Yuri and Brownie at his side, Riku still saw his friends and went to Frost’s barbecues. That was as far as he strayed from the mirror. He was more than a little surprised that no one eyed him with hatred. They also accepted Brownie with an ease only their community could. They were a ragtag bunch, after all. Mostly, Riku just found ways to entertain himself when Lucifer was busy.He read and played games with his doggy companions. It was a peaceful existence he never could have pictured for his future after learning how it would be spent. He had never been happier… or more in love.
Riku found Yuri asleep on the couch. It had been this way for weeks. Occasionally, he checked on the house with Brownie, but he was always back. Someone had lovingly covered him with a blanket. It was sweet watching the way Brownie cared for him, but also a little heartbreaking. It was obvious Brownie didn’t see himself as good enough for Yuri. Meanwhile, Yuri had been rejected so harshly over the years and made so many bad choices, he feared making any move at all. Riku couldn’t fix it.
He squeezed into the only empty spot on the couch and ran his fingers through Yuri’s fur. Yuri was so fluffy. He had never seen a wolf so well groomed. Riku shook his head. He didn’t know how two hounds could be so blind.
Yuri yawned and stretched as he turned human. “Hey.”
Riku smiled. “Hey. Aren’t you uncomfortable always sleeping on the couch?”
Yuri shrugged. “Anything indoors is better than how I lived before you took me in.”
“Maybe you should just live here.”
Yuri looked uncomfortable. His gaze slid away. He felt the way Yuri wanted to say yes, but he had promised to keepthe house safe, and he didn’t want to disappoint Riku. “What about the house?”
It was Riku’s turn to shrug. “We can keep doing what we’ve been doing or put it up for sale—you keep the money, of course.”
“I don’t know.” The discomfort practically rolled off him in waves. Riku felt the way he was scared to make a move and ruin his life again.
“How about we at least have you pick out a bedroom here? That way, you can have your own bed. You can decorate it however you like. Lucifer and I can conjure you anything you want. Then you could just figure things out later.”
Yuri took a moment before answering. “Yeah. Okay.”
Riku stood, and Yuri followed. He conjured Yuri some clothes. Riku didn’t really care, but it made everyone else more comfortable. After touring a few rooms, without much enthusiasm from Yuri, Riku had an idea. He led Yuri to a bedroom across the hall from Brownie’s room. That had Yuri letting his insecurities go. He wanted to be closer to Brownie.
As if feeling Yuri’s presence, Brownie practically ripped open his door. The moment he set eyes on Yuri, he softened. “Hey. You’re up.”
Riku hid a smile. Brownie was human and dressed. He looked like he belonged in a biker gang, which fit. The style definitely matched his scars.
Yuri immediately turned twice as bright. “Hey! Guess what? Riku gave me this bedroom. He says I can decorate it however I want.”
It got even harder to hide his humor. Apparently, Yuri had chosen his room, for sure.
“What do you think I should do in here? I don’t know shit about decorating anything.”
Brownie crossed the hall and joined Yuri. Riku silently backed out and left them alone. He smiled all the way back to the living room. Lucifer sat, waiting.
“Are you meddling?”
A laugh burst from Riku. “No. Just finding Yuri a more comfortable placeto sleep.”
“Mhmm.” Lucifer didn’t sound like he believed it, but then again, he could read Riku’s mind. It wasn’t like he could lie or hide anything from his other half. “Since you have them occupied.” Lucifer patted his knee. “You should sit on my lap.”
The evil glint in Lucifer’s eye had a wave of lust rising inside him. Goddess, he loved this bad boy, kinky dream man he’d been given. Riku couldn’t get enough. Still, he played coy. He couldn’t be too easy all the time. “I don’t know. What’ll you give me if I do?”
A ring appeared between Lucifer’s fingers. “Maybe I can lure you in with a wedding ring? You don’t have one yet.”
