“No,” Jordan said as he twined his fingers with Bailey’s. “You’re a man who isn’t afraid to fall in love.”
“But I fought being with you.”
“True, but tell me, Bailey. Have you fallen in love with me?”
Bailey yanked his hand free. “Are you making fun of me?”
“Quite the opposite,” Jordan replied. “I’m elated that I didn’t have to wait years for your heart.” He reached out and ran his knuckles down Bailey’s face. “I’m honored that you would trust me with yours.”
Bailey dipped his head as he wondered why Jordan would be honored. Bailey felt like a booby prize compared to the gorgeous man sitting next to him.
“Looks aren’t everything.”
How did the guy know what Bailey was thinking? Jordan was sometimes too damn spooky. “Won’t you miss being with females?” Bailey didn’t want to know the answer, but the question had been sitting on his lips since Jordan confessed that he swung both ways.
“Will you miss dating other men?”
“No,” he said without hesitation. “When I’m with someone, I’m with that person. I don’t even contemplate being with other people.” That’s what Bailey never understood. How could Harley date a ton of people and not have guilt eat him alive? He hoped to hell the guy got what he deserved.
“Exactly.”
He had told Jordan that he would trust him, and that’s what Bailey was going to do. He now realized that he couldn’t go at a relationship half-assed. He was the type to give it his all or nothing.
There was no way he could give Jordan nothing, so he was going to cross his fingers and take the plunge. He just prayed he didn’t land on jagged rocks.
“Where are we headed?”
“My cousin’s house. Rio won’t mind. He’s mated to a fey named Fire.” Jordan gave him an apologetic smile. “Don’t mind Fire. He’s…unique.”
What did that mean?
He would soon find out because Jordan was pulling into someone’s driveway. Bailey was about to meet Jordan’s family. He had briefly met them on Bear’s front porch, but they were about to spend some time here.
“Relax. Rio is a laid-back guy.”
That was easy for Jordan to say. He had known Rio forever. Bailey just hoped he measured up to Rio’s appraisal.
* * * *
“A listening device?” Rio asked as he took a seat at the kitchen table. “Are you sure?”
Jordan glanced toward the living room where Fire was entertaining Bailey. He knew his mate had been nervous about meeting Jordan’s family and hadn’t wanted to leave Bailey alone, but his mate had insisted he was fine.
“I’m positive. I just don’t know who planted it there.”
Rio ran a hand over his stubbled jaw. “Maverick put out the word that Vampire Hunters were in town and to watch our backs. You killed that lawyer before you fell sick. Do you think it could be one of them, you know, the Hunters?”
“I’m not sure. Mark was supposed to make the lawyer’s death look like an accident.”
“Oh it was very believable,” Rio said. “The guy is damn good, Jordan. Remind me not to get killed around him. Mark could easily make it look like an accident and everyone would believe it.”
“I didn’t know about the Hunters. I was poisoned before I got the memo.”
“Did anyone find out who poisoned you?”
“I haven’t heard anything yet.” Jordan was frustrated as hell that he didn’t know a damn thing. He wanted to get to the bottom of who was shooting at Bailey and who had poisoned him. “I need to figure out who is causing all this bullshit. I don’t want Bailey hurt.”
Jordan sat back when Bailey walked into the kitchen. His mate took a seat in his lap, snaking his arms around Jordan’s neck. Jordan placed his hand on Bailey’s hip, amazed at how good it felt to have his mate in his arms, in his life. He had been telling the truth when he said his life had been empty.
But with Bailey, Jordan finally felt complete. He would be devastated if anything happened to his sexy firefighter. Jordan could tell by Bailey’s body language that he was still a bit nervous.
“We’re going to figure this out, Bailey. I promise.”
“I know. I just don’t like the feeling that someone is out there hunting us.” Bailey shook his head emphatically. “It doesn’t sit right with me.”
That was the understatement of the year.
“Just remember that the paranormal community is a very close community, Bailey,” Rio said. “We protect our own and now that you’ve mated Jordan, you’re one of us. We have your back.”
Jordan quickly tucked his lips in when Bailey’s head snapped around, a glint of wonder and anger darkening his sage-green eyes. His mate was so damn adorable when he was pissed.
“Just how many people know that we’ve mated?”
Jordan tried to keep a straight face when Rio burst out laughing. “Um…pretty much everyone.”
“It’s not something you can hide from a shifter, Bailey.”
Jordan rolled his eyes in exasperation when Bailey turned to glare at Rio. “Dude, shut the fuck up. You’re not helping here.”
Rio just raised his hands in the air. “I’m just saying…”
“Well, don’t. I’ll explain it to Bailey.”
“Is there something you don’t want me to know?” Bailey snapped, turning back to Jordan. “Are you hiding something from me?”
Jordan groaned. This was so not turning out how he expected. “No, baby, I promise. I am not hiding anything from you. Rio just doesn’t have any damn tact. I was trying to explain it to you a little easier.”
“What in the hell did you do to him?” Rio asked in almost a whisper of wonder. “I’ve never heard Jordan talk that damn much.”
Bailey—much to Jordan’s shock and surprise—just grinned. “I mated him.”
* * * *
Bailey leaned against the doorframe and watched Jordan as he sat talking with Rio and Maverick. He was still a little weirded out
