Page 83 of His Eternal Temptation

Onyx clutched his heart. “You know me so well.”

TWENTY-THREE

LANE

“Is it too soon to move in together?” Lane asked Rowan the next morning in bed.

He’d been tipsy when he’d arrived home from the bar, and hadn’t wanted to bring up anything as important as turning into a vampire with a less-than-clear head. Upon waking, starting from the beginning, like he’d suggested back in Rowan’s office, seemed like the best bet.

Rowan ran a hand over Lane’s bare chest. “You tell me. Would you like to move in or would you prefer your own space?”

“My own space has a certain appeal.” A picture of himself running a little magic shop and having a studio apartment by the river came to mind. Starting a shop wouldn’t make sense if he’d be out of magic soon, but the rest… “A little separation from Arcadia could be nice for both of us. Don’t you get tired of being so close to work all the time?”

Rowan’s brows rose. “Not at all. I like having people around and my coven close. A few members live in the rooms down the hall, like Felix.” He paused. “I was isolated for long periods of time during my first hundred years, and it scarred me. I don’t like being alone. I need personal space and breaks from work, but knowing people are a few doors away comforts me.”

Lane’s heart clenched. “I’m happy you’ve given yourself that.”

“Me too.” His smile was small and tentative. “Building this home was an important step, and I’d never give it up completely, but I don’t need to be here every moment of every day. I’d love to stay over at your place, if you had one.”

Lane’s face split into a grin. “I’ll look around and see. It all depends on what I end up doing with my time. When I’m not in bed with you.”

He rolled on top of Rowan and pinned him. Rowan arched into it, exposing his neck, and Lane kissed it.

“What would you like to do with your time?” Rowan asked, shivering beneath Lane’s touch.

“This.”

He huffed. “Fucking me is hardly a full-time job.”

“You sure? I heard you were pretty needy. My boy has to know he’s loved. Reminding you only once a day seems inadequate.” Lane captured Rowan’s mouth with his, swallowing a moan as he rolled his hips.

After a few heated moments, Rowan broke away. “As much as I love this, I’m serious.”

Lane pulled back. “I don’t know what I want to do yet.”

His heart thudded, and Rowan’s attention sharpened, likely picking up on the changed rhythm. Now was looking like a good time for Lane to share his decision. Why was he so nervous?

“I could open another shop. It’s work I enjoy, and I imagine I’d find enough customers in a city this size. But I want you forever. I want to be a vampire, and if I’m going to reinvent myself, I’d rather leave past pursuits in the past. Pick something new.”

Rowan ran a hand through Lane’s hair. “You’re sure you want forever?”

“Yes.” He kissed his needy vampire. “There’s no doubt in my mind, Rowan. In this one life I have, you’re who I want. Everything else pales in comparison. Mere details. Trappings that come and go.”

“I want you too, Lane.” Rowan studied him closely, stern in his concentration. “I want you so damn much. But trappings can matter. I want more in your life than me, and I know you do too. I’m not saying you won’t find new pursuits as a vampire, but I’ve been looking for another way.”

“Another way?”

Rowan nodded eagerly, expression painfully hopeful. Shit, is there another way? Lane climbed off Rowan, and they sat up.

“You remember Onyx, the demon?”

“How could I forget.”

Rowan snorted. “He tends to leave a lingering impression. Onyx is mated to my friend Nico, the apothecary. I can’t wait to introduce you to Nico properly. But first I should explain…” His cheeks darkened. He was adorably flustered, and Lane’s pounding heart doubled its pace. “Nico and Onyx are bonded by eternal mating magic. Fated mates. Their souls are destined for each other.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Rowan’s smile grew. “I’d never heard of such a thing before meeting the demon either, but there’s no doubting it’s true. Nico is tied to Onyx and remains a witch even though he’ll live forever. I spoke to Onyx last night, and he believes the mating spell could work for vampires.”