“Open your door.”
Ji-Su snapped his head around toward the hotel room entryway. His heart racing, he pushed himself to his feet and ran across the lounge to the door. He was still holding the phone when he unlocked and pulled it open. Raul stood in the hallway. He held a dripping umbrella down at his side and his phone was up to his ear.
“You’re here.” Ji-Su was so surprised to see Raul that he couldn’t help but state the obvious.
“I was on my way to you as soon as it started thundering,” Raul said with a small smile on his handsome face. “Can I come in?”
Ji-Su didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step into the hallway and sagged against Raul’s chest. “You’re here,” he repeated. Raul wrapped the arm not holding the umbrella around him.
“Of course I am, sweetheart. I wouldn’t leave you alone when I know you’re afraid of storms. Let’s go inside, okay?”
Ji-Su nodded, but he didn’t move away from the strong warmth of Raul’s chest. So, Raul picked him up with one arm and carried him back into the hotel room. He kicked the door closed and set the umbrella down.
“I missed you,” Ji-Su mumbled with his face pressed to Raul’s shirt.
Raul kissed the top of his head.
“I missed you too.”
Raul hoisted him up higher to walk over to one of the armchairs. Sitting down with Ji-Su in his lap, he cupped Ji-Su’s face and met his gaze.
“Missed you so much,” he said his eyes glowing amber with emotion.
He lowered his head and brought their lips together in the sweetest kiss. Ji-Su let his eyes drift closed. The kiss was warm and wonderful and Raul held him so tenderly, that Ji-Su knew he hadn’t been tricked. Raul might be cold or even brutal with others, but for Ji-Su, he would always be the gentle, loving man he’d fallen for. When Raul pulled away, Ji-Su opened his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Raul apologized. “We should finish our talk first.”
But Ji-Su shook his head. “I want you to kiss me.” He reached up and pulled Raul down into another kiss. This one had a little more heat than the first. Ji-Su shyly teased at Raul’s lips with histongue until he parted them with a soft groan. Raul licked into his mouth once but then immediately ended the kiss.
“Don’t tease me like that, sweet thing,” he said with a hint of roughness to his voice.
Ji-Su smiled. He’d gotten what he wanted. “Okay.”
Their greeting complete, they returned to their conversation.
“I’ve already apologized for keeping things from you,” Raul said. “But there’s something else I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Raul took Ji-Su’s hand and pressed it to his heart.
“I love you. Each day apart from you has felt like something was squeezing my chest, preventing me from taking in a full breath. Now that I have you back in my arms, I can breathe again.”
Raul’s first love confession had come at the wrong time. Ji-Su hadn’t wanted to hear it then. But now, he welcomed it and returned it. “I love you too. And I don’t ever want to be a part from you again.”
Raul smiled, his eyes glowing even brighter.
“Our contract is up in a few months. But it doesn’t matter. I want you. And not just as my blood pet or for sex. I want you by my side, always. I want to share my blood with you and tie us together as blood bonded mates.”
Ji-Su stared up at Raul, the happiness within him spreading from his heart all the way to his toes. “I want that too. But first, I have one condition.”
“Name it. I’ll do anything you want.”
“Solan explained to me what it’s like to be a part of your world. He said that while violence is the norm, he doesn’t get involved with it. I can accept that. Your business is your business and I don’t need to know what’s going on. However, if a situation like the one with Cedric comes up again, I want you to promiseme that you won’t do anything without speaking with me first. If it’s done in my name, I should have a say in it.”
“I promise,” Raul said earnestly.
“Thank you.”
