Page 56 of Johann
“I don’t like compelling humans.” Jay wasn’t sure if Wolfe would understand the connection between Jay’s hang-ups and his lack of feeding, but Wolfe nodded in understanding.
“I know.”
Jay cocked his head. “You do?”
“I’m an observant man, Johann.” Wolfe always did that: referred to himself as a man, as if vampirism was a condition he lived with rather than an identity.
He was strange that way.
Really, Wolfe was strange in general. He was also cold and unfeeling, no matter how well he pretended at concern.
But he wasn’tweak. He was strong, especially for a younger vampire. And Jay knew for a fact the other den members feared him. Jay had overheard quite a bit in his time with Vee.
And Wolfe thought they could help each other?
If Jay needed a companion to survive—and who was he really kidding? Of course he did—why not pick the fiercest one there was?
Wolfe held out his hand. Jay, kneeling on the floor, an ungodly amount of blood smeared all over his face, took it.
He let himself be pulled up.
He let himself try again.
sixteen
Jay
JaywoketoAlexei’slips on his, then Alexei’s lips on Jay’s cock, and then a long, hot shower.
Jay didn’t usually think of showers as sexy occasions, but Alexei managed to make it one, lathering Jay up and doing that thing he apparently did now where he didn’t expect Jay to do anything at all except receive pleasure from Alexei’s hands.
Was that a human thing, maybe? Because it was really very nice. Like, so nice.
And Jay couldn’t even feel properly guilty about it because Alexei seemed to enjoy it so much. He even hummed as he rinsed Jay off.Hummed.
But then Alexei’s landlord called him about a burst pipe, and Alexei had to leave, and Jay was left on his own.
He didn’t know how many hours had passed when his doorbell rang.
Oh, dang it. He’d lost time again. He hadn’t meant to. He’d only been thinking, trying to figure out the right next steps. Because Jay had told Alexei he’d stay. But he’d also first promised Wolfe a particular arrangement.
Jay had even considered a pros and cons list about leaving with Wolfe.
Pro: I’d be keeping the promise I made once. Con: I’ll be miserable and lonely for the rest of eternity. Double con: I’ll miss Alexei more than I can stomach. More than should be possible.
And then had followed the pros and cons of staying.
Pro: I’ve found true happiness in Hyde Park. I could have Alexei by my side for the rest of his days. Con: Wolfe and the den might get angry and try to murder everyone I love.
Jay knew what he was supposed to do, what Vee would have told him to do: honor his prior commitments and go back with Wolfe. It didn’t matter what hewanted, only what had to be done.
But Vee’s voice wasn’t in Jay’s head anymore, and Jay had so many people he didn’t want to leave. But then again, he shouldn’t risk bringing any unwanted drama or violence into his friends’ lives, should he? That wasn’t why he’d come here.
It was all making his head hurt. He wished Alexei were with him. It would be nice to be held right now, to be told again that he wasn’t alone anymore. That he had a person just for him.
Jay jumped as the doorbell rang again. Oh, right.
He found Soren waiting for him on the other side, arching a judgmental brow. “You didn’t even check who it was before opening the door, did you?”
