“No, honey. I have work now.” Jacob caresses my cheek. Damn, he’s cute and way sweeter than I expected, and I’m horny again. “I stayed to make sure you both were safe. I’ll see you tomorrow night, okay? Come to my apartment and I’ll introduce you to my friends.”
I pout like the little brat I am, getting a snort from him, followed by another kiss.
“We’ll chat later,” Jacob says, as he lets go of my hand and approaches the front door. He waves at Killien before leaving.
His musky perfume lingers around me, intoxicating my brain with all sorts of naughty ideas. Drinking his blood has only made me want him more. Fuck. Now I’m torn between pressing my brother to break for me, or making my way under Jacob’s skin until he can’t think of anyone else.
The old chair creaks when I sit facing Killien, crossing my arms and legs. Once again, my brother looks away as soon as my eyes find his.
Sneaky.
“Slept well in the car last night?” I ask.
“I didn’t sleep much.” He shrugs, tapping his fingers on the wooden table a few times in a frantic rhythm. Something he only does when bad shit happens.
I know I’m trying to break him, but I don’t want him to suffer like this. If he’s going to struggle, he should be doing so in my arms. But my ginger angel won’t open up.
“You didn’t have to leave,” I say, trying to meet his gaze, but failing. “Nothing happened with Jacob last night. He wouldn’t allow it.”
Killien presses his lips together and frowns. Is he jealous? Angry? Uncomfortable? Fuck, he’s hard to read lately. I used to get him instantly, but he’s put a lot of distance between us in a matter of days.
“I thought it was better that way,” he sighs, but the frown remains. After moving his eyes around the room for a while, they finally land on mine. My heart skips a beat when his expression softens. “I owe you an apology, I think.”
“What?”
“Something is happening to me, Damien.” He looks at his hands pressed against the orange wood for a few seconds, then returns to me. “I’ve been lashing out at you for no reason. I don’t do well with changes.”
“What changes?” Anxiety creeps up my throat, I have no idea what he’s talking about.
“You know—” Killien rubs the tips of his fingers against his temple. “I don’t feel like the same person anymore. It might be the blood, or not. Who knows? But I can’t—I struggle to come to terms with it. You took it all so . . . well.”
“I don’t understand.” My back straightens, and I can’t stop myself from reaching for his hand across the table. Just like I did when we ran away from home and he needed my reassurance. But this time it feels different. He flinches, though it’s almost imperceptible. At least he doesn’t pull his hand away. I’m panicking, but keep my poker face up.
“Well, you don’t have a problem with how your life changed since Ledger turned us. You just accept things as they come. You go with the flow. I don’t know how to do that.”
“I guess I like to roll with the punches.” I shrug, but I still don’t understand where he’s going with this.
“You’re good at being spontaneous, always were . . .” He smiles for the first time in hours, and my heart melts in my chest. I love when he speaks like he’s proud of me, especially when his eyes glisten with affection. “I was always more structured, right? I’m not used to doubting myself.”
“Doubting yourself?” I lean forward on the table, making it wobble a little bit. “You? What’s wrong, Killi?”
“Nothing really.” He huffs out a small laugh. “It’s not wrong at all—I just don’t know what to do. I think . . .”
You think what? WHAT?
I’m going to strangle him if he doesn’t keep talking, I swear.
“Just say it, for fuck’s sake.” I can’t stop the words from rolling out of my mouth.
Killien shrugs. “I should start dating guys, I think.”
No, you fucking shouldn’t.
NO WAY IN HELL.
“What the fuck?” I snap, letting go of his hand to recline back on my seat. I want to jump and start pacing around the room, but I force my poker face back up.
“Yeah, it’s been fogging my mind for a while, apparently.” He smiles nervously, running his hand down his ginger hair and pulling it away from his face. “I’m sorry I’ve been so on edge. Itwas just my mind trying to tell me that I want to try something new. Which is fine, but it took a while for my brain to process it, I guess.”
