Page 20 of Starlight

“But with more commitment.” He rushed on.

“Not helping. And we aren’t dating or having sex. I’m only going up there to get your bag.”

“Yes, but I’ve never invited anyone into my nest before, and you’re going without me.”

Cole lifted his eyebrows and stared at him. “Do you want me to go or not?”

“Yes…and no. And I don’t want you to fall.” That would only tangle their fates further, and it was already a mess.

Cole huffed out a breath. “I have rope. I can get up there.”

“But can you get down safely?”

He smiled. “You can catch me.”

“That’s not funny.” As much as he didn’t want to leave his things up there in case another monster flew over and took them, or a crow got overly interested in the snacks and then the shiny jewelry. He didn’t like this plan either. “Maybe I should try and climb up myself.”

Sure, his balance was off because he couldn’t use his wings, and his arm burned every time he lifted it, but if he fell, he should be able to glide down. Should.

“So now you don’t want me seeing your nest.” Cole lifted his eyebrows. “You’re giving mixed signals. You want to see me naked, but you don’t want to take me home.”

Akai’s mouth opened, but he didn’t get the chance to argue.

“I’m teasing.” Cole’s smile widened.

“I can tell.” He hadn’t been sure, but he wasn’t admitting to that.

Cole made a noise like he didn’t believe him. “How much do you interact with humans?”

“As little as possible.” Except at the solstice party, when they quite often bought jewelry for their mates.

“Because of your sister?”

“Not specifically. But there is a long history of let’s call it antagonistic behavior between our kinds.”

“We’re doing a pretty good job of helping each other.”

Akai nodded. He was enjoying it a bit too much. He needed his phone so he could talk to Lick about what was going on. Not that anything was going on. He should never have become so obsessed with watching a human. Though given their history, perhaps it had been inevitable.

“I’ll get the rope.” Cole left him standing at the base of the tree as he returned to his truck, which appeared to be filled with all kinds of useful items.

Several minutes later, he returned with rope and gloves. “I feel like you will owe me after this.”

“I agree. I can offer you a piece of jewelry.”

“Oh, so now you’re inviting me to your nest and giving me jewelry.” He put his hand on his chest. “I’m not marrying you.”

Akai snorted. “You’d know if I was asking you to be my mate.”

“Would I?”

“Yes.” It was ridiculous to think that he’d take a human mate. Humans like to live in houses, and he liked to move around. Not only that, but he flew, and humans didn’t. It was different for monsters who walked like humans; they had more in common.

Besides, he wasn’t even looking for a mate.

But he was tired of doing everything alone. He looked at Cole again. They had been brought together for a reason.

Maybe it was something he should consider. It had been fun to watch Cole on the deck yesterday. He always enjoyed watching him, especially when he’d been building the cabin.