Omari Haru
Haru watched Adrian shuffle off to the bedroom, his shoulders slumped and head down. He’d mumbled something about catching a nap for an hour. Then they could talk about figuring out something for dinner. They weren’t expecting Vitor back until tomorrow at the earliest. He would be away dealing with his intricate web of spies and informants through the dark hours of the night.
That gave them plenty of time alone in this lavish hotel room to enjoy themselves. There was no point in wandering the streets in search of Shey when their best avenue for information was Ruben Deinum. Strolling around in public put them in danger of catching someone’s attention and possibly even destroying their new fake identities. For now, they had to wait.
But Adrian couldn’t be left alone with his wandering thoughts. Haru could feel that his words and reassurances hadn’t been enough to remove the weight of worry from Adrian’s shoulders. He needed action. He needed a distraction.
It just so happened that Haru was very good at distractions.
A playful smile drifted across his lips as he crossed the hotel room and pushed open the double doors leading into thebedroom of the penthouse suite. Adrian’s head snapped up and his brow furrowed. He was sitting on the end of the bed, one shoe in his hands.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.” Haru turned and closed both doors behind him with a soft click. “I thought I’d join you.” As he faced Adrian, he watched the man’s expression go from surprise to annoyance.
“I’m not in the mood, Haru. All I need is a short nap to clear my head.”
“I promise sex will very much clear your head.” Haru approached as Adrian dropped the shoe he was holding and pulled off the other. The second one hit the floor with athud, and Adrian glared.
“Not now.”
Haru stood in front of Adrian, so close their legs almost brushed. He was undeterred by Adrian’s grumpiness. It was to be expected.
“Have I ever told you that dragons have exceptional hearing?”
Adrian stared up at him from where he sat on the bed. “Tell me if you can hear this.” Adrian’s lips moved, but only a puff of air came out. Haru didn’t need to hear him. He could read his lips as he said, “Fuck off.”
“In the car, the moment I demanded that Vitor turn around so I could kill all those people, I heard your heart speed up. Your breath caught in your throat.”
“Yeah, because I was scared of a dragon going on a rampage, ruining?—”
“No!” Haru grasped Adrian’s chin as he looked away and turned his face to gaze at him. “You were excited. The idea of someone killing for you. Killing for your honor. For your protection. That thrilled you.”
“No, it’s wrong.” But his words weren’t as strong as the first time he spoke.
“There is no wrong when it comes to my Adrian.” Haru leaned close, rubbing the tip of his nose across Adrian’s cheek. “Let yourself have those dark little thoughts. Be greedy. Let your dragon protect you. Make them all fear you. My Adrian will never feel powerless and lost again.”
“Haru.” Adrian exhaled. That single word sounded as if it had gotten stuck in his throat along with anything else he might have wanted to say. He turned his face, and Haru was there to capture his mouth in a deep, searing kiss.
But Adrian broke off the kiss, pushing Haru away. “No, not like this. Not when you’re still pretending to be Yujian. I want Haru. Not Yujian.”
Haru laughed and held his hands out to his sides. “But these are my clothes.”
“That’s not,” Adrian sneered, pointing at Haru’s hair, which was still decorated with rings and jewels.
“My people often wear ornaments in their hair.”
“Sure, but those times with your clan, it was far more subtle and tasteful. Just a couple of silver rings. The Haru I know doesn’t need diamonds to show off.”
Haru bit the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning like a fool. Adrian had noticed so much about him on the Isle of Stone and remembered. That petulant, almost possessive tone practically made him light-headed.
“Plus, you don’t…” Adrian’s words faded, and he glared at the floor.
“What? Tell me.”
“You don’t smell like you. The cologne. That’s Yujian.”
Haru lunged at Adrian, stopping a hair’s breadth from touching him. Every cell in his body was on fire. He was nearlycoming out of his skin at Adrian’s words. “What does your Haru smell like?”
