Theo
Theo saw Gemma was trying to hide her yawns. She was starting to get dark circles under her eyes, and her eyelids were a bit droopy. He looked at the clock on the wall and jumped.
“Wow, I didn’t realize it was that late,” he said. “You look exhausted.”
She looked up at the clock and smiled. It was late, and her day had been rather eventful.
“I guess I am a little tired. Today has been very interesting and full of adventure. I got jumped by five wolf shifters and a dragon shifter,” she said, teasing him. “Actually, the dragon shifter jumped me twice.”
He laughed. “I can’t believe we’ve sat here and talked like this for hours,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time I just sat and talked to someone.”
“See what happens when you feed me,” she joked. “I can be great entertainment. I wouldn’t ask me to sing, though. I love to, but I can’t carry a tune for the life of me.”
He laughed. “Well, we are going to work on your dancing. As you say, I’m not going to be able to turn you into Baby Houseman, but you’ll be able to get a few things down,” he promised. “Okay, so you need to get a few hours of sleep. Then, tomorrow, you and I have to go out.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, stifling a yawn.
“We are going to the mall. You’re very beautiful, but I can’t take you to the ritual in those clothes,” he said.
She looked down at her KISS T-shirt and her very worn denim pants. “I thought I looked very chic,” she said. “Do dragon shifters not love the band KISS? If not, I do have a Def Leppard and Journey T-shirt I could wear.”
“I’m sure they do,” he laughed. “But probably not as a formal. Plus, I’m guessing with the little luggage you came with that you will be needing some other necessities, as well.”
“You are right there,” she said. “But you don’t have to go with me. I’m sure that traipsing around the mall with me all day won’t be much fun for you.”
“Actually, I don’t mind. And there are two reasons I need to go with you. The first is the wolf shifters know you’re in town. And I’m guessing that by now, they all know about the whoop ass you dished out to the five who came to find you. They will send quite a few more. I am your bodyguard. Second, it will be an opportunity for us to be mates. We’ll hold hands and touch a lot, so my scent will be all over you,” he said.
“Shopping for clothes and a hint of Theo. Sounds good to me,” she said.
She got up and started to clear the dishes. He put his hand on hers, and a thrill went through his arm.
“I got this. You go to bed,” he ordered.
She saluted then said, “Good-night,” and started off to her room.
He put his arm on her shoulders. “Wait. If I were your mate and was sending you off to bed, would you just walk away?”
Theo waited for her to stiffen, but she didn’t. She turned and said, “I suppose not.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her toes to kiss his lips. “Don’t be too late,” she said huskily.
Theo stood, unable to believe that small gesture had made his entire body burn like an inferno. Speechless, he watched her walk up the stairs.
As he washed the few dishes they had, he thought about how much alike Gemma and Savannah were.
He laughed to himself as he pictured Gemma and Savannah sitting on the couch next to each other, watching the cartoon together.
They both were very intellectual. They could talk about philosophy, government, and any topic that crossed the table. They loved art and had both visited museums and famous buildings around the world just to soak in the atmosphere of the artists’ passions, whether it was an architect or a painter. And, of course, they both loved gargoyles.
Tonight was the first time he was able to be awake for any length of time and not miss Savannah with a fierceness that pierced his soul. That’s not to say he didn’t miss her. But it wasn’t the barbed dagger kind of pain.
This really confused Theo. Gemma was so much like Savannah that it felt as though he had spent his entire night with his beloved mate. Her smell stirred him as no woman had in more than two hundred years.
He felt a little guilty. He didn’t want to betray Savannah’s memory, although he knew she would be very happy if he found someone to love after all this time. She would want him to enjoy his life.
Theo walked around his kitchen a couple of times. The dishes were washed, and food was in the refrigerator. He felt like a caged dragon.
Shedding his clothes, he briefly thought about going up to Gemma’s room and snuggling next to her. He was pretty sure she wouldn’t protest too hard, now. However, he wanted her to come to him on her own terms if they did make love.
He noticed that the term changed from having sex to making love. He wasn’t ready to deal with that. Stepping out in the cool night, he took a huge breath of fresh air and transformed into a dragon. With a loud roar, he launched himself into the sky.
He was happy to see that there were no interlopers on his mountain. Just the normal group of animals who lived there.
Theo flew until his wings were tired, and he was ready for bed himself.
His last thought was what it would feel like falling asleep with Gemma in his arms.
