Hidden Passions (Hidden, #7)(79)

"Just another reason to buy Rick's place: easy access to a boyfriend who's handy."

Chris kissed the back of his neck. His lips curved like he was smiling.

"I don't need a bribe," he said, "but you are very persuasive."

Some time passed before their strength recovered enough to clamber out of the tub, dry each other off, and totter to Tony's bed. Chris flopped onto it on his back. Looking like he knew he belonged, he patted the mattress beside him.

Tony quite enjoyed climbing up and snuggling into him, especially since they were both naked. His head settled on Chris's chest, his ear pressed to his heartbeat. The cat was warm and relaxed. His long fingers stroked Tony's drying hair.

"Oh hey," he said like he'd just remembered something. He rolled slightly and reached sideways.

Chris had tossed his jacket onto a nearby chair--one of the harp-back dining seats Tony had refurbished. Snagging the garment by the arm, he dug into its pocket and pulled out the dragon cuff.

Tony watched it glint as Chris tilted it. The scratchy runes were as mysterious as ever. Was he going to wear it, or was he still thinking?

"I feel like I should make a speech," Chris said. "A magic promise or whatever."

"The cuff is already yours. If it weren't, it would be zapping you."

"So I just put it on?"

"If you're ready. Or you could let me help."

Chris's lips twitched with suppressed amusement. He handed the cuff to him, then held out his arm. Tony's pulse beat faster. Ignoring his nerves, he sat up without a fuss and slid the band over Chris's hand. Part of him was tempted to make a joke about being engaged, but that seemed presumptuous.

Once the cuff was on, Chris turned his arm back and forth to consider it. His fit as well as Tony's.

"We're the guardians," he growled, imitating Tony's nephew.

Tony laughed. Chris's gaze lifted to his and stayed. "My cuff is humming."

"Mine too."

They both wore them on their right wrist. Chris clasped Tony's forearm so that the gleaming bands of metal were pressed together. A flush of warmth joined the low vibration. Tony's soul went still with awe. This man was the other half of him--twinned to him just like the electrum cuffs.

"We're a team now," Chris said quietly, seeming to feel the moment too. "We'll protect the dragons, and we'll stand by each other."


"We'll love each other."

"We will," Chris agreed. "And, by the way, you're an excellent partner already."

Tony grinned. This was totally like an engagement. Chris touched Tony's face, kissed him gently on the lips, and sat back. He seemed less dozy than before. "What sort of cake did you say you had in your fridge?"

"Chocolate."

Chris contemplated this. "Your parents spoil you."

"Like crazy." Tony's grin reached epic proportions. "If you stick with me, they'll spoil you too."

"Well," Chris said, his eyebrows arching higher. "I guess I'll have to then."





CHAPTER THIRTEEN


CHRIS wasn't an idiot. He knew the only things preventing him from committing completely to Tony were his own issues. These last few months as a couple had been great. Tony alone would have made his days a joy, but Tony came with perks.

Chris and Nate got along already, due to the wolf marrying Evina. Once Nate's pack wrapped their heads around Chris's existence in Tony's life, they treated him with interest, consideration, and--soon enough--affection. They didn't tease Chris like they did Tony, but doing that to his lover was kind of irresistible.

He and Tony lived together now. Rick had sold Chris his apartment with a minimum of haggling. Treat my brother like he's special was the only demand he made.

Chris became so cozy with the wolves he had to remind himself not to neglect his tigers. Setting aside his discomfort over the pool hall's associations, he hired a retired firefighter to reopen and manage it. Once a month, he and the cats--including Evina--took over the back room for poker night. Jonah's replacement, a young cat everyone called Twink because of his amazing balance, lost his whole first paycheck. Deciding that wouldn't foster good crew relations, Evina restricted them to playing for pennies from then on.

The evening Syd suggested Tony might like to join them--and Liam seconded--Chris nearly fell off his chair.

"Ask him to bring that chocolate cake his folks make," Vasur added, having sampled it when Chris brought a piece to work. "That bad boy is excellent."

So the clan and the pack began to twine together, asking after each other and getting familiar with their assorted personalities. It wasn't the case that no one ever butted heads, but only in normal ways. The fire crew seemed happier--possibly to their own surprise. Overall, Chris's life was running with supernatural smoothness.

Every morning he got to wake up and be himself. Every day he performed the job he was born to do. Every night he crawled into bed with the man he loved.

And then there were the dragons.

The Society for the Protection of Rare Creatures took the news that Tony and Chris were guardians with barely a batted eye. The Dragon Guild wasn't as agreeable. They'd wanted to fill the posts themselves. Even so, they came around. Every few weeks the SPORC folks, the two Guild members on their board, and Cass's father put Rick, Cass, Tony, and Chris through an intensive training day.