Spectrum (Stone Society #14) - Faith Gibson Page 0,30

to my job. Not with Bradley being there every day.”

“Then you won’t. Once we are mated, everything I own becomes yours. We will have a lifetime of figuring out how we want to spend our days. Whether it’s traveling, flipping houses, or something completely different, we will do it together. Can you see that in your future?”

“I can.” Stella figured it was the mate bond drawing her to Zeke, but she couldn’t find it in herself to care. He already explained how the fates chose the perfect partner for the Gargoyle, so that meant he was also perfect for her. “But I also see a nap, because the pain meds are starting to wear off. Will you show me to a bedroom?”

“I will take you to our bedroom.” Zeke stood, then gently scooped Stella into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and nestled her face against his neck, inhaling his masculine scent. The master suite was just as light and airy as the living room. The king-sized bed was like being placed on a cloud. If she felt better, she would invite him to sleep beside her. But she really was fading fast. Zeke went back downstairs to get her medicine. After taking two of the pills, he told her to get some rest. “I’ll be out on the back deck, but if you need me, all you have to do is say my name. I’ll hear you.” Zeke pressed a kiss to her forehead, and Stella closed her eyes.

Leaving Stella to nap alone was one of the hardest things Zeke had ever done. If it weren’t for Cyrus, Zeke would have lain down beside his mate. They hadn’t completed the bond, but her acceptance was there in her eyes. In the way she smiled at him. The way her heart beat a little faster when their hands joined. Then again, if he stayed in bed with her, his Goyle would insist on taking things further than Stella felt up for. They had waited thirty years. Another day or two wouldn’t kill them.

Zeke stopped off in the kitchen and grabbed a bucket, filling it with ice and longnecks. He took them to the back deck and sat in one of the Adirondack chairs while waiting for his brother to return from his walk. Zeke wanted to be alone with Stella, but he would never make Cyrus feel unwelcome in his home. He had a lifetime with Stella ahead of him, but he had a lot of years of catching up with Cyrus to make up for. Damn you, Jonas. Where Sophia and Tessa adored Jonas, Zeke resented the male. Resented the fact that he and Caroline continued having offspring only to pawn them off on unsuspecting humans. Why have kids if you weren’t going to keep them?

His thoughts trailed off to his mate, wondering if she wanted children. Zeke could imagine how being around so many kids over the years might lessen the shine of having her own. There was so much they needed to talk about, but as he told her, they had a lifetime of getting to know one another. Zeke twisted the top off his beer and took a sip. The cold liquid felt good going down, and Zeke leaned his head back as he searched the shoreline for his brother.

The beach outside Zeke’s home was mostly deserted this time of year. The other houses in the area were family-owned, and those who lived there rarely took to the sand during the colder months. With the breeze coming off the ocean meeting with the cool temperatures, most humans, at least those he had met, preferred to enjoy the view from inside their heated homes. With Zeke being Gargoyle, the cold didn’t bother him. Seeing his brother walking barefoot next to the surf, Zeke smiled. It didn’t seem to bother Cyrus either.

A dog barking followed by a male yelling had Cyrus turning his attention toward the only other two beings Zeke could see. His protective nature had Zeke sitting up a little straighter. The stretch of beach between his deck and the water wasn’t large, and if Cyrus needed him, Zeke could be there within seconds. The golden lab bounded up to Cyrus, who bent down to give the dog some love. The pup’s owner jogged up, apologizing profusely. The smile on Cyrus’s face was brighter than the sunshine. Cyrus rose, and the two males shook hands, only they didn’t immediately turn loose. Zeke leaned