More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
He apologized mentally to the vampire part of himself—the little bit of his being that didn’t like the bright light—for irritating its senses. I’m sorry, little beastie.
People were always calling Jay “honey” and “sweetie” like that. Jay supposed it had something to do with his looks: he was petite, his facial features were maybe kind of doll-like, and he knew people thought of him as cute. He supposed that made them want to call him pet names. He didn’t mind it though—in truth, it warmed his chest when people called him nice things. It made him feel wanted, even if all it really meant was that he was nonthreatening.
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. Because apparently Alexei’s recent hermitage had melted his fucking brain.
He simply couldn’t look away. The guy was so…pretty. Gorgeous in a soft, unassuming way, with that little button nose, those Cupid’s bow lips. And really, the bed head look he had going on was too much; it was sending Alexei’s brain into dangerous territory. Like sweat-soaked sheets and a dark head bobbing between his legs and a million other dirty things he shouldn’t be thinking about.
He wasn’t going to leave the guy alone. A good man would. But Alexei had never been a good man, had he?
Alexei huffed a not quite laugh. “No cupcakes, kotyonok.” Jay’s heart warmed at the nickname Alexei had started giving him. It meant “kitten” in Russian.
What was Alexei hoping to accomplish even? Slow seduction via increasingly complicated coffee orders?
“Feed from me. I like the idea of giving you something you need, kotyonok. Let me be of use to you. Please.”
He should always be here, Alexei thought dreamily, listening to the strangely erotic sounds of Jay’s greedy gulping. In my arms.
Alexei had been in the presence of mobsters since he’d been toddling age; he wasn’t going to be intimidated by six feet something of malnourished Colorado punk.
“I like to be cozy.” “You’re coziness personified, sweetheart.”
So the little vampire liked gifts? If Alexei had known, he’d have been bringing them from the very beginning. Probably shown up on day two with a goddamn diamond ring.
Jay loved the outdoors? Alexei would live in a forest cave with him, if he asked. Jay wanted to be around people? Alexei could handle that, if it was for Jay. He’d let Jay do all the talking, all the inadvertent charming, and it wouldn’t be so bad. Jay wanted a messy house? They’d make blanket forts, have a million pets, destroy their kitchen with culinary experiments. Alexei could be enough. He could try. He would try. Until Jay’s better half came along and ruined it all, at least.
“I didn’t have a real childhood. Your adulthood was stolen from you. Do you think together you and I could make one complete person?”
“You wanted freedom.” “I wanted freedom.” Freedom to find you was the thought that went through Alexei’s head. Freedom to choose. To find a person worthy to serve. Worthy to love.
“Maybe, but I don’t mind. You’re hungry for affection; I’m hungry to give it to you.”
“Have I told you lately you’re the nicest human?” “Only to you.” Because you’re special and perfect and I adore you even though we’ve only been technically dating for a day.
He would have offered up every bit of his own blood, down to the last fucking drop, to keep Jay whole.
“I see a man who was one of those numb, sad, scared people, who has since seen the fucking light. You’re the fucking light, Jay. Anyone can see it, the way he looks at you. You really don’t think he loves you?”
Jay might not have had much experience with love, but he had plenty of experience with its absence. He could tell the difference.
“Jay’s love language is words of affirmation.” Jay nodded solemnly. “And also all the other ones.”
