Page 43 of Walking in Darkness

Whatever naughty thoughts Hudson had been having came to a screeching halt and Hudson’s dragon reluctantly retreated, thank Gaura.

“Yes, it has, and it’s been a very eventful day at that,” Hudson said. “Let me get a washcloth and help Connie clean up, then let’s go to bed.”

Hudson was fully aware of what he’d just said. He wanted Kit to spend the night with them instead of going back to his own room, but he wasn’t going to push. His dragon rumbled unhappily in his head, and he shushed him. But there was nothing that said he couldn’t throw the idea out there, though. Maybe that would please the damn insistent creature.

“Come with me, and I’ll get you cleaned up too,” Hudson said.

“He’s in caretaker mode. You might as well go,” Connie said, still sprawled on the bed.

“Caretaker mode?” Kit asked.

“Yep. You’ll see.”

Connie wasn’t wrong. Hudson had always been attentive to any lover he’d had in the past, but the driving need to take care of Connie and Kit was almost overwhelming.

A couple hundred years ago he would’ve been hard-pressed not to carry Kit off to some castle in the mountains and stash him there. He was sure Connie had the same thoughts.

Fortunately for Kit, Connie was there to stop any of the more primitive thoughts Hudson had. So far. He might notrestrict Kit’s movements, but he’d certainly made sure his mate was protected when he went out.

Kit followed Hudson into the bathroom. Hudson ran water in the sink, then grabbed a washcloth. When it was warm enough, he wet it and handed it to Kit.

He grabbed another one, repeated the process, and carried it back to Connie. A few minutes later, Kit joined them. Hudson returned the washcloth he had and joined them in the bed.

So what if he stood at the edge for just a moment and admired the two men in his bed? A feeling of calmness descended over him and his dragon. This was where his men belonged. This felt right.

Kit had slipped on his underwear, and Hudson’s dragon huffed in his head. The beast wanted Kit naked, but Hudson would say nothing, even though he agreed. But right now, he was more concerned with Kit being comfortable than any demands he and his dragon might make.

Again, for now.

But Kit was sitting on the edge of the bed. Baby steps, Hudson reminded himself.

“How are you doing?” Hudson asked.

“Pretty good, all things considered. Finding out that allthreeof my parents are shifters? Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting that, but knowing what I know now, I’m glad my papa changed them,” Kit said. “Mom and Pops would’ve hated knowing that Papa would outlive them.”

“Itisone drawback to dating a human,” Connie admitted.

“I can imagine.” Kit ran his hand through his hair.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Connie asked.

Hudson noticed that neither he nor Connie had gotten dressed. Both tended to sleep in the nude.

“Honestly?” Kit bit his lip.

Hudson immediately moved to where Kit sat on the bed. Connie beat him there by mere seconds. Connie wrapped his arm around Kit’s waist. Hudson sat on the other side and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“I really am okay. I’m just a little out of sorts.”

The fact that Kit could say he wasonly“a little out of sorts” was amazing, especially with all he’d been through lately. His mate really had a strong will.

“I know I said I wanted to take things slow between us, and I’m not changing my mind on that. I still feel like we need to get to know each other, but I really don’t want to go back to my room tonight.” Kit slumped. “I don’t want to be alone.”

Hudson knew even those with a strong will occasionally need a break.

“You know we want you here with us,” Connie said immediately.

“But what if I sleep here tonight and then want to go back to the guest room tomorrow night? Is that going to upset either of you?” Kit asked. “I don’t want to do that.”

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