Free Crimson Moon by Carol Lynne

jog, catching up with Gunnar before he reached the palace doors. “Gunner.”
    Gunner slowed his pace. “I need to get out of here for a while.”
    “Okay. Mind if I join you?”
    Gunnar shrugged. “I won’t be good company.”
    “I’m used to it,” Ramiro said, hoping to lighten Gunnar’s mood.
    With a smirk on his face, Gunnar waited for the guard to open the door. Once outside, he headed in the direction of the park.
    Ramiro reached for Gunnar’s hand and was pleasantly surprised when Gunnar offered no resistance. As they walked, Ramiro could feel the tension draining from Gunnar’s body. Although he hadn’t planned to talk to Gunnar about his feelings quite so early in their relationship, something told him it was the right time.
    When Gunnar started down the main path, Ramiro gave his hand a tug. “I’ve got something I want to show you.” Ramiro led Gunnar over the barricade and onto the soft grass.
    “You’re going to get us in trouble,” Gunnar mumbled.
    Ramiro stopped and pulled Gunnar into his arms. He leant in and rimmed Gunnar’s lips with the tip of his tongue. “I am trouble.” He ended the statement with a deep, probing kiss, ready to shout to the universe his intention of keeping the vampire in his arms. Gods, when did I become such a fucking sap?
    Breaking the kiss, Ramiro smiled. “Come on, it’s through the trees.”
     
    Once they had reached the small copse of trees, Gunnar pulled Ramiro to a stop. “Give me a second.” He tilted his head back and let the moonlight filtering through the leaves bathe his face. Again, the longing of his old life came back in full force. He missed roaming the forest in his wolf skin, the feel of the ground under his paws.
    “This wasn’t where I was taking you, but you look rather content. Let’s go sit on that rock,” Ramiro offered.
    Gunnar would rather have wallowed in the dirt and leaves at his feet, but decided if Ramiro could compromise, so could he. At least the boulder was flat and smooth. Gunnar wasted no time in spreading out on the rock with his arms out to the sides. “I love that smell,” he mumbled.
    “Dirt?” Ramiro questioned.
    “Dirt…leaves…all of it.” He rolled his head to the side to stare at Ramiro. “Once all this is over, I don’t think I care to ever see another city. I dream of buying a piece of wooded land and building a house.” He grinned at the mortified expression on Ramiro’s handsome face. “What, that doesn’t appeal to you?”
    Ramiro seemed to school his expression. “What about the vineyard?”
    Gunnar shrugged. “I’m not sure that’s an option any longer.”
    “You should talk to Neo. He said he didn’t mean what you think he did.” Ramiro moved to curl up against Gunnar’s side.
    “He’s my boss. I think he made his position quite clear,” Gunnar stated, remembering the reprimand he’d received earlier.
    “I’ve had time to think about it, and I believe he meant he was the son of Zeus. He was telling you he had no reason to be afraid of Rafi , because he was stronger.”
    “You really think so?” A large part of him wanted to believe Ramiro.
    “I do.” Ramiro kissed Gunnar’s neck.
    “He was right, you know. Sometimes I do forget who he really is. I guess I just get complacent in our relationship. I tend to think of him as a friend, not a demi -God.”
    “I know. I felt the same way about Ian. I hate that I don’t know why he left or where he is.” Ramiro rested his forehead against Gunnar’s chest, curling himself around Gunnar’s body.
    Gunnar stroked Ramiro’s back, hoping to give the vampire comfort. He decided to ask the question that had been on his mind since he learnt of Ian’s sudden departure. “What if it turns out he’s working with Morwyn ?”
    “I don’t know. Ian’s no saint. I’ve always known that, but I protected him anyway. I’ve seen him create and then kill vampires on a whim, but I had to believe there was more good in him then