Page 57 of Johann
Jay shrugged. “No.”
Soren placed a (judgmental) hand on his hip. “And what if it had been Wolfe?”
Jay shrugged again. “I would have invited him in, I suppose.”
Soren scoffed at that, breezing past Jay into the house, making his way into the living room in his heeled boots. “Big mistake, Jaybird.”
Jay closed the door carefully and followed after him. “He’s not my enemy, Soren.”
“He wants you to leave Hyde Park. That makes himmyenemy.”
Warmth pulsed in Jay’s chest even as dismay filled him at the thought of two of his friends being enemies. Really, he’d had no idea Soren wanted him to stay so badly, that he hadn’t minded Jay sticking around for so long after an unexpected arrival.
Not that Jay thought Soren hadhatedit. But there was a big difference between tolerating an inconvenience and declaring enmity over Jay’s potential removal.
Jay wanted to hug him. He was going to hug him.
But Soren spun around before Jay could fully enter the room, crossing his arms and scowling fiercely. He looked beautiful even when he scowled. He was like Alexei in that way. “Don’t look at me like that,” Soren warned.
“Like what?” Jay asked, trying to figure out if he should lower his hug-ready arms or just play it off like he’d been stretching.
“Like I just professed my undying devotion and then gave you a solid-gold handbag.”
Jay cocked his head, deciding on lowering his arms after all. “Is a solid-gold handbag something someone would want?”
Soren huffed. “We’ve all just gotten used to having you here is all. Plus, I haven’t had a proper chance to fix your horrible fashion sense. Now that I know you have billions? The sky’s the limit, baby. We’re talking designer. Couture. ” Soren spun again and made his way over to the couch, the heels of his boots clacking pleasantly on the wood floors. Did he ever try to tap-dance with those shoes on? Jay bet he could do it. Soren could do anything. Clickety-clack. Clickety-clack.
Soren flopped back against the couch cushions, arms spread wide. “Jay.”
Jay shook the mental image of Soren tap-dancing out of his mind. “I’m sorry. Shall I get you a drink?”
“No.”
“Tea? Water?”
“No.”
“A strawberry Pop-Tart, perhaps?”
“Jaybird. Jesus Christ. Sit down.”
Jay sat next to him on the couch, careful to keep an appropriate distance between them. Soren repositioned himself quickly, twisting to face Jay completely, one leg curled up under him.
Jay did his best not to fidget as Soren studied him, but Soren still didn’t seem to like what he saw. “You can’t be thinking of going with him, Jaybird.”
Jay wasn’t, not really, but that didn’t stop him from pointing out that he should. “It’s the right thing to do though.”
“And what about your mobster?”
Jay didn’t have an answer to that. If he did end up having to go with Wolfe, he couldn’t very well take Alexei with him. Jay couldn’t stomach the thought of his wonderful human having to put up with the den and all its cruelty.
Soren gave a heavy sigh. “Jaybird. I know you don’t have a lot of…experience. But with the scent thing…the instant attraction…” Soren trailed off as Jay cocked his head. Then, exasperation roughening his usually melodic voice, he said, “Well, Jesus. Haven’t you considered he could be your mate?”
Ah. This.
“Oh. Yes, I know he’s my mate.” Jay couldn’t help but frown a little at his friend, as much as he loved him. “I’m not stupid, you know.”
“I—what? No, youaren’t,” Soren agreed with a fierceness that had Jay smiling, just a little. “It’s just— Well, okay. Christ. Aren’t you going to do anything about it?”
