So. Very. Boring.
Dawn creeping up through the apartment’s windows was the most glorious thing Nix had ever seen, and even then Ivan didn’t come out of his room for another hour.
Hislockedroom.
True to his word, that Ivan. Even after his little display at the desk the other night, he’d been locking his door every single night when he went to bed, like Nix was the boogeyman and Ivan needed protection from him.
Nix could have broken the lock, of course, but if dear Vanya felt the need to guard himself against little ol’ Nix, then so be it.
The human had still cracked, with or without Nix’s help.
He’dkissedNix.
And true, there hadn’t been any tongue or groping or any of the fun extras Nix so very much enjoyed, but it had still been mouth to mouth. Nix hadn’t expected such an advance for another week or two, at least.
Thank the Book for vodka.
Although, Nix had a feeling it had been less about the alcohol and more about the way Sergei’s visit had split a fissure in Ivan’s defenses. There had been real vulnerability there, after the stocky Russian had left.
But clearly Ivan hadn’t been feeling as open in the aftermath. It had been almost two weeks now, and Ivan had kept Nix firmly at arm’s length. He spent almost all his waking hours at the office, his crew of brutes coming in and out, and apparently Nix wasn’t allowed.
Ivan claimed he needed to capitalize on the Carusos’ downfall before other families swooped in and beat him to it, but it felt to Nix like he was stalling.
Ivan hadn’t mentioned Sergei since that night, and Nix hadn’t seen the betraying bastard around. He’d almost have liked to invite him over, if it meant Ivan would crack again. If it meant Ivan wouldtouchhim again.
Speak of the handsome devil.
Ivan clearly wasn’t feeling any more open this morning. He came out of his room fully dressed, in another black suit that could have used a bit more tailoring. Did he have something against showing off that firm ass of his?Probably, Nix thought, on his back on the ugly white couch, one knee crossed over the other. Most likely Ivan thought firm asses weren’t good forappearances.
“I’m heading to the office,” Ivan said tersely the moment he entered the living room, knotting his tie without looking at Nix.
“And me?” Nix asked, already guessing the answer.
“You’ll stay here.” Ivan gazed coolly down at him, stillsomehow avoiding Nix’s eyes. “I don’t need any distractions today.”
Nix made a face, but he was ignored. He sensed the Book on Ivan’s person, the demonic energy radiating out from his suit jacket. Ivan had taken to transporting it back and forth between his office and the apartment ever since Sascha had brought it back to him.
“Why were you so intent on getting that back, anyway?” Nix asked, nodding to where Ivan was concealing the tome. “Sascha wouldn’t have been able to summon another demon, you know.”
“Alexei could.” Ivan scowled at his own words, bitter as always at even the mention of his middle brother. “He already has a vampire, I don’t need him adding another supernatural creature to his arsenal.”
Nix sat up, tucking his legs under him. “Your brother has a vampire?” he asked eagerly.
He half expected Ivan to tell him to mind his own business, but Ivan answered, “He does. A strange excuse for one though. He was…small.” Ivan rubbed at his neck, on the opposite side from where Nix’s lovely hickey had been before it had faded. “But still strong.”
“What a fascinating family you have.”
Ivan’s only answer was a sneer of disgust.
Touchy, touchy.
“And what do I do while you’re gone?” Nix asked, already bored with whatever answer Ivan was going to give him.
Ivan’s cool blue gaze finally met his. “You’ll behave.”
He really liked that word, didn’t he? Nix narrowed his eyes at him. “And how am I supposed to complete our contract when you leave me behind at every opportunity?”
But Ivan was already heading to the elevator. One silly little kiss and he was fleeing like Nix was some sort of toxic waste.
