Page 27 of Basilisk

But so did leaving his home. Years of a certain behavior weren’t going to be erased that quickly. Not even knowing what he did now.

But his home no longer felt safe either.

“Where would we go?” he quietly asked.

“We have a bunch of safe houses. And they’re all warded so nothing could just walk in.”

“Couldn’t we ward this place?”

“We could. But it would take time we don’t have. Your life has been threatened three times now. Whoever this is, they’re serious. It’d rather take you to a heavily warded house.”

After a moment, Clive sighed and nodded. “Okay. You know best.”

Bain stood. “Good. Pack a bag, and I’ll take care of everything else.” He paused and gave Clive another kind smile. “It’s going to be okay. Don’t forget your teas.”

Chapter Thirteen

Bain

Bain should have insisted on the safe house from the beginning. As he led Clive up the porch steps, the power of the wards enveloped his body as if he were walking through thick gelatin, then popped free. The Protective Solutions offices felt the same, so he was used to the sensation. The power of those wards stayed humming in the background of his mind at all times after that, but that never bothered him. He felt so much better here with Clive. Felt he was safe—and he wanted this man safe more than he’d ever wanted anything.

He looked around as they stepped inside and he set the bags down. He’d always liked this home. One story and set far back off the road, it was one of the older houses with exposed high-ceiling beams and a stone fireplace. A dark brown leather L-shaped couch faced the fireplace and the large flat screen mounted over it. The house held three bedrooms, the master being a real thing of beauty with a sitting area nook.

“This is really nice. No one lives here?” Clive wandered to the fireplace, then turned in a full circle.

“It’s kept for this sort of thing, so no. Every now and then, we use it for vacations, but it pretty much stays empty.”

Clive set his laptop bag on the small desk in the corner, then stood nervously wringing his hands. The poor thing looked like he was going to crawl out of his skin, and Bain hated that he was so uncomfortable.

He needed to set him at ease somehow.

“How about I show you to your room and then we’ll continue our Star Trek marathon?”

“My movies are at home.”

“We can order them here.”

Clive just nodded, chewing on his plump lower lip. Which only reminded Bain of the kisses earlier. The ones that had blown his mind so much he hadn’t stayed aware of their surroundings. That wendigo should have never gotten so close, and he was fucking angry with himself over that. He’d have to do better because there was no way he was keeping himself away from Clive now. Luckily, with the wards and Alaric out doing his commune with nature thing, the chances of something getting through the wards were slim.

An hour later, they were settled on the couch, Clive cradling a mug of one of his teas.

Bain could hardly pay attention to the movie. He was too aware of this human who so intrigued him. Clive was to be his mate. If Clive wanted that—and Bain so hoped he did. He’d never, ever considered having a mate, but now it was all he could think about.

And the heat during that kiss…

It was beyond anything Bain had ever felt. But it was more than that. He wanted to be on the other side of the couch with Clive tucked up against him. Wanted to hold him close. Sleep with him. Wake to him.

He wanted to justbewith him.

But how did he make that happen? He knew how to seduce. Sex was easy. It was all the other stuff he had no experience with. Could Bain even be everything Clive would need? Worrying wasn’t a feeling he was used to. Neither was insecurity, and he was feeling that in spades.

“You said you’re not dating anyone,” Clive suddenly asked, “but is there someone you’re interested in?”

“No, I wouldn’t have kissed you if I were.”

“Good. I should have asked before. Should have asked more about you before. And I’m sorry if it’s seemed like I’m selfish and not interested in your life.” Clive sipped his tea and curled one leg beneath himself. “You’ve lived so long. I can’t even imagine what’s that like. What kinds of things have you done? Seen?”

Bain thought about where to start for a moment, then shrugged. “I grew up in California, watched San Francisco grow to become the economic hub of the Pacific Coast. I traveled a lot, fought in several wars, including the Civil War. I’ve always found slavery abhorrent, so you can guess which side. I watched the political parties here change.” He met Clive’s gaze, deciding to be perfectly honest with the man. “I met Xavier in the 1970s. It wasn’t a good time for me because I’d had a run in with some rather nasty preternaturals, and they’d left me for dead. I truly thought I would die and was lying in a dirty alley when he found me. He took care of me, and then we traveled together for many years before we settled here.”

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