Free Taming the Enforcer’s Flirt by Charlie Richards Page A

still was.
    “Okay, I can at least tell you that Einan doesn’t use his fists first,” Tible assured, giving his shoulder another squeeze. “He wouldn’t be the head enforcer if he did. Maelgwn would never stand for it.” He shrugged. “I’ve never even seen him angry, but I know mating can cause emotions to run high.”
    That was an understatement.
    He nodded anyway. “I appreciate the vote of confidence for him,” he murmured. “I figured in my head as much, but…” Panic wasn’t rational.
    “You’re gonna need to talk to him, tell him,” Gus urged softly. “He needs to know the problems you’re dealing with. He can’t help you if he doesn’t know.” Patting his thigh, then squeezing hard to punctuate his words, he added, “And Einan couldn’t do any better than you. You’ll make him a wonderful mate.”
    Gus bumped their shoulders together companionably.
    Sighing, Cornelius nodded slowly. “Thanks,” he whispered.
    Maybe from sitting on the sofa, maybe from all the emotions crashing over him, maybe because it was three-thirty in the morning and he’d only had a couple hours rest, but fatigue hit him hard. Cornelius felt his eyelids droop and he sagged against his friend.
    “Get some rest,” Gus urged, easing off the couch and helping him spread out. “I’ll wake you an hour before sunrise. That way you have time to return to Einan and talk a little bit.”
    Trusting his friend, Cornelius sighed and allowed his eyelids to slide closed. Sleep took him quickly.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Einan sat on the sofa, beer clutched tightly in the hand resting on the couch’s arm. He stared fixedly at the door. He knew his mate was with Gus and Tible. When Cornelius had fled he’d followed him, although this time, he hadn’t stopped him. Once Cornelius had slipped into his friend’s room, Einan had returned to his suite.
    He knew his mate would be safe there.
    That didn’t make him any happier about having his mate in another couple’s room…especially while they were having trouble.
    Having no idea what he’d done wrong, Einan could only stew. He acknowledged that he should have kept a better lid on his temper, something he hadn’t had trouble with since before he’d turned the century mark. Still, he hadn’t lifted a hand or made any aggressive moves toward Cornelius. Hell, he’d never hit his mate, no matter how angry he became. He’d never been violent when angry before…just tended toward yelling. At least, way back when.
    Einan had worked hard to overcome those tendencies. Learning yoga, meditating, and deep breathing exercises had done wonders for his self-control. Few of his friends knew about his morning ritual—the Gods bless his private balcony—of fifteen minutes of yoga followed by fifteen minutes of meditation, and he had every intention of keeping it that way. His mate would find out soon enough…assuming he came back.
    Taking a sip of his beer, Einan knew Cornelius not returning wasn’t an option. They’d bonded. He’d have to get to the bottom of his shifter’s refusal to top, so he could go through molt, but…
    “Perhaps I pushed too hard too fast,” he mused, picking at the bottle’s label. It wasn’t like Cornelius would be leaving the mansion anytime soon. They didn’t need to complete it right that instant.
    The doorknob turning caught Einan’s attention, pulling him from his musings. Few would walk right into another gargoyle’s suite, and since Sapian had dropped off Cornelius’s bags earlier—also taking a moment to discuss needed duties—Einan hoped it would be his mate.
    Relief flooded Einan upon seeing Cornelius almost slink into the front room. He watched the slender man peer around the fairly dark area. Currently, only the kitchen light glowed, casting the front room in shadows. It had matched his mood at the time, dark and gloomy.
    Einan knew the minute Cornelius spotted him, for the shifter froze and his shoulders tensed. Not wanting his mate