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“We can do that…eventually. But you deserve to be wined and dined. You’re an amazing, sweet, thoughtful guy. Someone needs to take care of you, too.”
“Okay,” he agreed, because why would anyone argue with that?
“And so you know, I’m not asking you out on a date because you saved my ass and my brother’s.” Nolan leaned in closer and Sky melted, feeling as if he were standing simply because Nolan was holding his chin. “I’m asking because you’re cute, funny, thoughtful, and sexy. I’m sorry it took me two years to figure out that I had such a great neighbor.”
Sky wanted to say, “Better late than never,” but Nolan kissed him and Sky forgot words.
It was a brief, chaste kiss. That was fine. The kiss gave him a taste of Nolan’s soft, full lips. A hint of hunger as Nolan returned for a second small kiss, as he began to pull away.
Yes, Nolan Banks was one step closer to being his, and he couldn’t wait.
Chapter 8
Nolan Banks
Was it too soon to kiss Sky?
Maybe.
But it felt like one of the smartest things he’d done in a while, and he couldn’t bring himself to regret it. From here, he’d take it slow with the sweet man. He didn’t want to fuck this up. And he didn’t ever want Sky to think he was dating him out of gratitude or a sense of obligation after everything Sky had done for him.
Of course, he was grateful!
But he wasn’t going to pay with his body. Sky deserved better than that. He was the kind of person who gave and gave and gave of himself, expecting nothing in return. Nolan was going to make sure he was the person who took care of Sky.
Not that it was something he was naturally good at. As a full-time writer, he got utterly lost in his current project and forgot about the outside world. He could barely take care of himself most days. But he could do better. For Sky.
Upon returning home, Sky grabbed some stuff from his place and accompanied Nolan to his house, where he went around the outside, writing these weird symbols along the windows and doors. He said they were wards so a vampire couldn’t come inside his house. Apparently, that whole invitation thing was a myth. Vampires could go wherever the fuck they wanted, but Sky had him covered.
At least his place was protected for the nighttime hours. If they were lucky, the vampire king would rein in the Sandor Clan, and Nolan would have nothing more to worry about with bloodsuckers. He could focus on the book he was horribly behind on and the adorable man across the street.
When Sky left him alone, Nolan crashed for several hours, feeling as if he’d not slept in days. He likely hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a week. At least not since that first call from Owen’s friend that his brother had gone missing.
Even though he’d sent his brother away and cut ties, he still picked up his phone and checked his messages the second he opened his eyes. But there was nothing from Owen saying that he’d landed safely, not even a big “Fuck you” for sending him away. Nothing.
And it was for the best.
He’d become a safety net for his older brother, and he couldn’t do it any longer. Owen’s bad decisions were becoming too much of a drag on his life and his mental state. He probably wouldn’t have been brave enough to ask Sky out on a date if Owen were still in the area. Nolan was too afraid that he’d allow his brother to destroy what he was attempting to build with Sky.
It might hurt, but it was for the best. Without someone to save him, Owen might finally pull himself together. Maybe.
After a scalding hot shower to take off days of dirt, sweat, and grime, Nolan felt human again. It might be late afternoon, but he settled in with a cup of coffee, a couple of Sky’s muffins, and a pile of work. But first, he texted a picture of his coffee and muffin to Sky.
A bark of laughter jumped from his throat when Sky replied with an empty muffin wrapper and an empty teacup. Clearly, they’d had the same idea.
This…this felt nice. Easy. So comfortable. Like he didn’t have to work so hard to make something click with another human being. He hadn’t thought it was ever supposed to feel this easy.
He sat at his desk and lost hours to various bits of administration work that he’d put off. Stacks of emails that needed answers. And even copy edits from his editor that had arrived during the chaos.
Somehow, he plowed through a huge chunk of it and even made progress on his current book. Not a bad day.
