Johann (Vampire's Mate, #4)

by Grae Bryan

Jay wasn’t going to let sad thoughts bring him down. Because he was getting a hug. And a new job to do. And there was still sparkly snow on the ground outside. Coming to Hyde Park was the best thing Jay had ever done. His only wish was that it could last.

There was a little guy at the counter, dressed in a truly hideous sweatshirt, and he was waving at Alexei with surprising gusto. Alexei was so distracted by the strange enthusiasm of the greeting (not to mention that eyesore of an outfit), that he was all the way to the counter before his brain processed the fact that the guy beneath the clothes could only be described as…adorable.

Alexei had the momentary, completely bizarre thought that he wanted to steal him. To put the stranger in his pocket and take him back to his apartment, stash him there for the foreseeable future. Just…keep him.

Jay wanted to rub against those arms like a cat. His beastie did too. But that would be weird, right? Humans didn’t rub up against other humans they barely knew.

Alexei was almost smiling, his lips soft and relaxed, and Jay was beaming, and their faces were very close, and oh, Jay just really, really wanted a nibble. Just a little nibble of the delicious-smelling regular with the handsome face and pretty eyes and strong-looking forearms with his sleeves rolled back.

Soren followed the path of his gaze. He arched a brow. “Dude looks like a mobster.” Jay’s smile faltered a little. “No, he doesn’t. He looks like Alexei.” Soren grinned sharply at him. “That’s a mobster name.”

He stepped forward, away from Colin and toward Alexei. “We’re not boyfriends. I’m just a vampire.” Now it was Colin’s turn to say his name like a reprimand. “Jay. You can’t go around telling everybody you’re a vampire.”

He’d found out barely an hour ago that vampires existed (and that sweet, adorable, waves-at-dogs Jay was one), and now here he was letting Jay feast on his neck?

Did that mean Jay had a mate out there already? Was Alexei just…filler? Prepping Jay, giving him a taste of sex and romance, only for someone else to take him away permanently further down the line?

Why the fuck couldn’t he be Jay’s mate? He’d be the most devoted mate there ever was, given the chance.

Jay was everything good and right and wonderful, somehow remaining so even after centuries of horrific influence. So yes, Alexei would be fucking thrilled to be mated to Jay.

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.

Anger bubbled in Alexei’s chest. “He’s the most perfect vampire to ever exist in the fucking universe, asshole. You would be so lucky.” Wolfe’s gaze hardened. “I’ll forgive the rudeness, just this once. Clearly emotions are running high.”

So not just a power-hungry vampire psychopath. A power-hungry, conspiracy theorist vampire psychopath? Jay really knew how to pick his friends.

“I want to give you…goodness, Alexei. My friends here are good. We deserve to stay with them. We deserve good things. We deserve a life of our choosing.” He gave the hair a gentle tug. “No more— No more meanies.” Alexei hugged him closer. “All right, kitten. No more meanies.”

“My cock is still inside you and you’re blushing over a bite?”

Jay found himself wishing they had time to stay in this apartment for the next month or so, to learn these new sides of each other and explore this bond. But they had plans to make. People to call. Meanies to chastise.

“For half the money?” Jay asked, cocking his head. “Half the money.” Wolfe took a considering sip of his wine. “And I want the doctor.”

Wolfe waved a dismissive hand at him. “Not your doctor. I want the other one. Monroe.” “Well, um… He’s not ours to give,” Jay pointed out, his brow furrowing in confusion. At the same time, Gabe scoffed. “Him? Why would you want him?”

Roman cleared his throat. “I heard a phrase recently that resonated with me. ‘Happy wife, happy life.’ If Danny is content, so am I.”

“I don’t like fighting,” Jay said evenly as Tobias struggled. “And I’m probably not very good at it. But I am stronger than you. And I don’t like you threatening my mate.” He frowned down at Tobias. “It’s rude.”

Soren looked pained for a moment, then threw his hands up dramatically. “Fine. You’re ours, Jay. You and your big Russian. There’s not a day goes by I’m not happy you came here, even if I didn’t know what I was doing when I invited you. And most days, I still feel guilty for leaving you in that place for as long as I did. And I’m looking forward to the future, when I don’t have to think about any of it, and it’s just an accepted truth that we have one another’s backs for the rest of time. Good?” Soren gave Jay a sharp look, relaxing when Jay nodded. “Good. Highness?”

“Where are your words of affirmation?” Gabe straightened in place, giving Soren a panicked look. When he found no sympathy there, he smiled tentatively at Jay. “Oh. Um. I think you’re great, little guy.” Jay’s answering beaming smile was the most beautiful thing Alexei had ever seen.

Ah. Alexei’s sweet, tender mate, worried over a hypothetical reality where a hypothetical Alexei might have been hypothetically sad.

“Do you think we’ll always be this happy?” Jay asked, once he was settled back against Alexei’s chest. Alexei pressed a soft kiss to Jay’s temple. “I do.” Jay smiled. “You don’t think that’s too optimistic of us? Or naive?” “I’ve never in my life been accused of being either of those things, kotyonok. It’s just a fact. We will.”