Johann (Vampire's Mate, #4)

by Grae Bryan

Because that was what family was, right? At least for vampires. Family meant the terrible creatures you were stuck with because you had nowhere else to go.

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.

Colin pointed an accusatory finger at Alicia. “Stop trying to surreptitiously find out Jay’s sexuality. It’s against the company rule book.”

“I don’t like being alone,” he declared, his voice ringing in the silent apartment. There, he’d admitted it. He’d voiced it out loud.

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. Distractingly so.

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.

“What just happened?” It wasn’t until the redhead answered him that Alexei realized he’d asked his question out loud. She smirked at him, tamping down the espresso she’d just ground. “I’d say you got Jayed.”

And, to be fair, Alexei had also once overheard Jay compliment his fucking cash register for opening “so smoothly and quietly.”

“You’ve lived in New York thirty-five years and never met someone you cared about for more than one night. Now you’ve been on the run six weeks and you’ve got yourself a crush?” “It’s not a crush. He’s way too young for me.” “It sounds like a crush.”

“What would you do if you had a crush? Not that this is a crush,” Alexei hurried to clarify.

So really, Alexei didn’t need to wear anything super bright to still be the nicest-looking thing in the room.

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.

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.

What was Alexei hoping to accomplish even? Slow seduction via increasingly complicated coffee orders?

Jay cocked his head, too tempted for words. Still. “But what are you offering?” “Feed from me. I like the idea of giving you something you need, kotyonok. Let me be of use to you. Please.”

Jay climbed up into Alexei’s lap.

he climbed onto his lap to bite him. can you get any more adorable? no

Alexei grabbed more firmly onto the little vampire’s hips, pleased beyond measure at the intimacy of the feeding position Jay had chosen: on Alexei’s lap, that pert bottom pressed up against Alexei’s hardening cock.

He should always be here, Alexei thought dreamily, listening to the strangely erotic sounds of Jay’s greedy gulping. In my arms. He found himself leaning further back against the couch and pressing a hand to the back of Jay’s dark head, urging him closer. “Take as much as you need, kotyonok. Drink your fill.”

“No, you’re not a baby.” Alexei pressed a kiss to Jay’s neck, then whispered in his ear. “You’re a kitten.”

“Do you know how long I’ve wanted you on my lap like this? You are making me feel good, kitten. The way you smell. The way you look right now, flushed and fucked out and desperate. Move your hips. Just like that. Fuck into my fist. We’re not stopping until your cum is coating us both.”

“You’ve got your own unique style, did you know that?” “Thank you,” Jay answered with full sincerity, clearly taking it as a compliment. “I like to be cozy.”

Jay wriggled with happiness (“sweetheart” and “kitten,” all in one go!) before getting back to business.

“I think I’m fading, kitten. You’ve worn me out. Little sex demon you’re becoming.”

“Also, this is for you.” “For me?” Jay whispered, his gray eyes shining. Well, fuck. So the little vampire liked gifts? If Alexei had known, he’d have been bringing them from the very beginning.

“Does it hurt your neck, kissing me?” Before Alexei could even answer, Jay was patting his arm soothingly. “Poor human. Next time, just pick me up.” He turned to the rest of the room. “He’s very strong for a human. He can toss me around no problem.”

“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.

Jay moved as if to scramble off Alexei’s lap, but Alexei tightened his arms and kept him close, rising off the couch and taking Jay with him, his little vampire fitting so easily into his arms. “I’ve got you, kotyonok.”

Alexei carried Jay in the direction of the bedroom, trying not to lose his mind at the way Jay tucked his head into the crook of Alexei’s neck, sniffing at him like Jay could consume him via scent alone.

“My little alien,” he crooned, pressing another kiss to Jay’s lips, so completely overwhelmed with fondness for this strange creature.

And when Alexei bottomed out, Jay’s fangs descended, his eyes darkening to that deep black. He was gorgeous, perfect, everything Alexei had ever wanted. Alexei told him so.

“Jay’s love language is words of affirmation.” Jay nodded solemnly. “And also all the other ones.”

Jesus. Titanic. Which was now on the forbidden list of movies, ever since it had made Jay cry for what felt like hours afterward. If Alexei could murder a movie, he’d murder that one.