Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Even through the weird fisheye lens, he could see Marcus’s worried expression. His black hair was wild and standing up in different directions as if he’d been endlessly threading his fingers through it or pulling at it. Something in his heart softened and turned a little mushy, leaving Ethan longing to shake himself. If Marcus was a big, bad vampire, he certainly didn’t need some little nobody wanting to wrap him up and take care of him. Good God, it was amazing Marcus hired him in the first place.
Pulling open the door, Ethan slipped outside before Marcus could take a step forward and smiled stiffly at him.
“Hey, Boss!” Ethan said a little louder than he meant to as he tried to force cheerfulness in his tone. Luckily, Marcus appeared too distracted to notice. “Do you need me to run an errand?”
“Ethan! Are you all right? Did you have any problems getting home?” Marcus quickly demanded. He put both hands on Ethan’s shoulders, holding him in place, but there was a feeling that Marcus wanted to drag him tight against him. And Ethan found he was disappointed that Marcus didn’t.
“No. No problem. Just got caught in the storm, but no big deal.” Ethan stepped the rest of the way out into the hall and closed the door behind him. That got Marcus’s attention. He released Ethan and glared at the door for a moment before looking down at Ethan.
“Who is in your apartment?” he asked quietly.
“Umm…no one…just an old friend. We kind of made a mess and I’d rather you not see it. It’d be kind of awkward.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed on him and Ethan’s heart sped up even more. He was going to have a fucking heart attack. Marcus could not freaking see Carl. And Carl could not be allowed anywhere near Marcus.
“Are Meryl and Cain in there?”
“What? No! Of course not.”
Marcus stunned him by lifting both of his hands to gently cup either side of Ethan’s neck. Thumbs pressed under his jaw, carefully tilting his head up so that Ethan had to stare directly into Marcus’s stunning blue eyes. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at Marcus as if he were trying to peer straight into his soul. His eyes fluttered closed as those strong fingers stroked down his neck in a tender caress. The most delicious tingles danced along his skin and sent blood rushing down to his cock. He couldn’t fucking think.
Before releasing him, Marcus pulled him close, pressing his nose into Ethan’s hair and drawing in a deep breath as if he were trying to draw Ethan into his lungs.
Just as quickly as it all started, Marcus was releasing him. Ethan struggled to open his eyes, but when they focused, he was surprised to see Marcus pacing the hall, gripping his hair with both hands. It was only then Ethan realized Marcus had been checking him for bites on his neck and smelling for the scent of Meryl and Cain.
But he didn’t believe that Marcus thought he was lying. Not with such a gentle, caring touch. No, he was worried about Ethan’s safety. Worried that the two vampires would try to hurt him.
“Marcus?”
“I’m sorry, Ethan,” Marcus said softly. “I don’t mean to frighten you.”
“Right now, I’m more worried about you. Who are they?”
Marcus turned back, his frown in place but there was also sadness in his eyes. “I can’t explain. Only that my life sometimes brings me into contact with ruthless and uncaring people. I don’t want them to fixate on you. To threaten you to get at me. I’m sorry.”
Ethan stepped close to Marcus again, placing his hand on Marcus’s forearm and squeezing. “Don’t. You are not responsible for the actions of others.”
“Thank you.” Marcus gave a little sigh, his frown easing somewhat but there was no touching the sadness that lingered in his gaze. “I am hopeful that Meryl will direct her attention elsewhere and forget about you.”
“Well, I am quite forgettable,” Ethan joked, but Marcus only shook his head.
Reaching up, Marcus touched a bit of Ethan’s blond hair, and Ethan was sure he was going to melt into the floor. “There is nothing forgettable about you. I only hope that Meryl and Cain are too blind to realize it.” Marcus’s voice was warm and rough, wrapping around him as if he were weaving a spell. But this had nothing do with him being a vampire. This was desire.
Holy fuck.…Marcus was gay. There had been little hints earlier in the day when they’d talked over their meal. Marcus had been particularly interested in his dating habits and his life. It had made Ethan wonder, but then their unexpected guests had shoved those thoughts to the back of his mind.
“Marcus…”
As if realizing what he was doing, Marcus released Ethan and took a step away before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Ethan.