Free Graham Ran Over A Reindeer by Sterling Rivers Page A

the sharing of the gift, but his body did loosen, his eyes fluttering closed. Broad palms guided Rudy back against his lover’s chest and he forced himself to relax. Soon he would inform Graham of his intentions to make him his life-mate, but for now he wanted to enjoy their time together.

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    “I’m not ready yet,” Graham shouted when he heard the door to his apartment open and close. He recognized Rudy’s footsteps, but he kept his attention on the mirror and the sculpture he was currently working on. “Five minutes, I promise.”
    Rudy appeared behind him, looking handsome as usual, if not a little tense. When the guy had called in the morning, Graham had assumed he was checking in on their plans for the evening. But his voice had been clipped and his words stiff. Apparently, Rudy’s parents were back in town early and had invited—demanded?—Graham come over for dinner.
    “You look amazing,” Rudy said, his lips working up. “But you are aware Grandfather and my parents already know what you look like. Hell, Mom used to clean your cuts all the time—”
    Turning to regard his boyfriend, Graham tossed him a concerned look. “How can you be so caviler about me officially meeting your parents? This is… totally different. They know we are involved… Jesus.” He ran his fingers through his hair for the umpteenth time, unsatisfied with the final version. “I mean… they know I know . I have to make a good impression.”
    Rudy sighed and wrapped his arms around Graham. Lying his chin on Graham’s shoulder, he smiled. “I’m a little nervous, too. But they know you and already approve. Everyone is worried about you keeping the secret as well as your knowledge of us getting out. They just want to know where we stand, I guess… if it is serious.”
    Cocking a brow in the mirror, Graham asked, “What exactly do you mean by it getting out? I would never betray you like that.”
    It was Rudy’s turn to look startled. He backed away and cleared his throat. When Graham turned to regard him, he said, “We have a tribunal, a council that looks in on us from time to time. They don’t like it when humans run around freely with the knowledge that we are a thing.”
    “Shit. Way to take off the pressure, buddy,” Graham joked.
    “Sorry. I don’t want you to worry about it, okay? Usually, they send someone to investigate your intentions, but Grandfather promised me he would take care of it. It’s not a huge deal.” Rudy said then plucked him on the lips. “And you look fine. Gorgeous, really.”
    Graham closed his eyes for a moment and took a cleansing breath. He trusted Rudy and was sure the man wouldn’t downplay the importance of the issue. He’d been forthcoming last night about the light-well , and sharing his gift. Graham was still hung up about that, and he’d gotten the feeling Rudy had wanted to offer him his gift. He withheld his decision on the grounds that he needed more information about the shape-changers— could I live as one?
    “Everything will be okay,” he said again, and weaved his fingers in Graham’s hand. “Let’s take this one step at a time.”
    Nodding, Graham followed and Rudy helped him into his coat. The drive to the Snowden house seemed longer than it was, Graham’s heart thumping in his ears and his stomach twisting. He wasn’t sure why he was so nervous. Rudy’s parents knew him well and he was familiar with them, too. He supposed he hadn’t expected to announce that he and Rudy were an item so soon. Breathe, he told himself. Just get there, have dinner and chat like old times. You can do this.
    As the house came into view, the doubt grew but Rudy passed him a bright smile and Graham knew he would get through this. Rudy cut the engine and Graham had to force himself out of the truck. Thankfully, Rudy was next to him in an instant, the man’s cheerful face guiding him. The sound their boots made on the porch was startling and the creak of the