Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Ryder could clearly see Gideon’s broad, cheeky grin in the darkness.
“How do you know my heart’s not racing because of you?”
The vampire’s mouth fell open and sort of soundlessly bobbed for a couple of seconds as if the very suggestion had rendered him completely speechless.
“What? Me?”
“This is the first time I’ve been in bed with someone since…” Ryder trailed off, the last word dying in his throat. He was afraid to bring it up with Gideon, but he didn’t want to be. He’d never talked to anyone about her. Gideon would be the first. Except, maybe Gideon didn’t want to know.
“Since who?” Gideon asked, his voice filling with excited curiosity. “Did you used to have a boyfriend a long time ago? Another vampire?”
“My wife,” Ryder whispered.
“What?” Gideon croaked. He pulled the blankets up to his chin and did his landed fish impression. “I’m so confused. Are you…were you…married? But does that make you straight? Or were you gay and pretending to be straight? Or wait…no…should that be are you gay and pretending to be straight? I…I’m so confused. You’re married?”
Ryder could so easily image the squirrel on the wheel in Gideon’s brain jumping off and falling over. He’d broken the poor vampire.
“I was married when I was human. Her name was Caroline, and we had two children together—a boy and a girl. Their names were Kevin and Mary.” A small echo of an old pain spread briefly through his chest at the mention of their names. He hadn’t said them out loud in years. Maybe not since he’d become a vampire.
“Whoa,” Gideon whispered. “You were married. To a woman. Kids. What happened? Did a vampire attack you and your family? Oh God, I hope not. Wait, let’s go back. Are you gay? Wait! Don’t tell me. I don’t think I can handle it if you’re straight. Wait! No. It’s okay, but are you? You—”
Ryder stopped Gideon’s adorable babbling by pressing his lips to Gideon’s in a soft, sweet kiss. He closed his eyes and focused on those perfect lips as they brushed and moved on his. Time slowed while his heart sped up to the point of nearly breaking out of his chest. He was kissing Gideon.
After waiting and wanting for so many years, he was finally kissing him. The faint scent of honeysuckle and vanilla danced past his nose, and he breathed it in. The two scents would always be associated with his precious Gideon, and now they were wrapping around him and sinking into his sheets, marking his place in Ryder’s life.
He pulled back, but those lips chased after him, pressing for another small, hungry kiss. His first and second kiss with a man. And he was so glad they were with Gideon.
The kiss ended, and he smiled against Gideon’s mouth, pressing another little one to the corner.
“I was straight when I was married, but that was more than a century ago, and I didn’t know there were things like demi and bi,” Ryder explained. He reached up and brushed some hair away from Gideon’s eyes, letting his fingers trail down the amazing softness of his cheek. “I was married to Caroline, and we built a life together that included two kids. They died in a carriage accident while I was at work one day. Not a vampire attack.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry,” Gideon whispered.
“Thank you. Since then, I’ve met this delicate, sexy vampire who made me realize I want things that aren’t very straight at all. I want to kiss and touch.”
Gideon squeezed his eyes shut and sneaked his fingers above the covers to reveal they were crossed. “Please let me be that vampire. Please let it be me,” he chanted repeatedly.
Ryder dipped his head to steal another kiss. “It’s you,” he replied, their lips brushing together.
“Good. I’m so glad,” Gideon moaned. He peppered Ryder’s mouth with kisses between every word. “Pretty sure I’d have had to claw this other vamp’s eyes out otherwise.”
Ryder tossed his head and filled the room with laughter. He wrapped his arms around Gideon, pulling the smaller vampire against him. Gideon hummed and rested his head on Ryder’s shoulder.
“Wow. I made you laugh twice in one night. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh.”
“You’re also my first kiss with a guy,” Ryder admitted. He rolled onto his back, taking Gideon with him so that the smaller man was half lying on his chest.
Gideon’s head immediately popped up and he grinned wickedly. “You interested in some more firsts tonight?” He licked his lips and Ryder’s cock instantly tried to speak up.
But Ryder huffed a laugh and placed a hand on Gideon’s head, guiding it to his shoulder. “Later. The sun is up. We need to sleep. And I’ve already had an adventure with my first ghost. I don’t think my heart could take more firsts tonight.”