Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Tensing, Vlad took his gun from the nightstand and quietly rolled off the bed.
The corridor was dark and empty.
There was a noise in the living room.
When he got there, he found Sebastian standing in the middle of the room.
Vlad set the gun down and switched on the light. This time he wasn’t surprised to see Sebastian’s glassy, unseeing eyes. He was sleepwalking again.
Vlad stared at him, unsure what to do. Sebastian was wearing only loose pajama bottoms that were riding very low on his hips.
Licking his suddenly dry lips, he tore his gaze from Sebastian’s hipbones and walked closer. He recalled what Sebastian had told him: he usually sleepwalked only when he was stressed by something. Wondering what had him stressed out this time, Vlad put his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder and shook him gently. “Wake up.”
Sebastian flinched, closed his eyes, and sagged against Vlad, his breathing evening out again. He was truly asleep now, snoring softly into Vlad’s neck.
Vlad breathed shakily, his boxers suddenly a little tight. Cursing every deity he could think of, he repeated, “Wake up.”
Sebastian mumbled something sleepily and nuzzled into him. His parted lips dragged across Vlad’s skin, sending goosebumps all over his neck.
Vlad closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This was pure torture.
“Wake up,” he said, trying not to think about how much he wanted to pull Sebastian closer and feel him up. “Sebastian,” he croaked, clinging to the remnants of his control by the skin of his teeth.
Finally, Sebastian’s eyelids fluttered open. He stared at Vlad, eyes still sleepy and a little confused.
“I hate my brain.” Sebastian sighed, looking resigned. He lifted his hand and put it on the back of Vlad’s head. “C’mere, then, kiss me.”
Vlad froze. Then he realized Sebastian thought he was dreaming.
“C’mere,” Sebastian mumbled sleepily, pulling his head down.
Vlad had never felt so weak in the face of attraction. After days of just looking at Sebastian—looking and wanting his attention—his control was pitiful. He was drawn to this man like a bee to honey.
Just a kiss, he told himself dazedly, staring at Sebastian’s mouth. Just one.
He pressed his lips against Sebastian’s, swallowing the moan threatening to leave his lips. He licked into Sebastian’s mouth, cradling his face in his hands. Sebastian was wonderfully responsive, his lips and tongue just as hungry, his arms locking around Vlad’s neck, pulling him closer. Small moans filled the air as they kissed—his or Sebastian’s, Vlad had no idea. Fuck, this felt almost painfully good.
Suddenly, Sebastian went rigid against him. He pushed at Vlad, tearing his lips away. “Wait,” he said, panting. “I’m not dreaming.”
With a sigh, Vlad stepped away, his hands balled into fists. He couldn’t look at Sebastian. Unlike Sebastian, he couldn’t claim being confused and thinking he was asleep.
“How did I—Did I sleepwalk here?”
“Yes,” Vlad said curtly. He could feel Sebastian’s gaze on him and suppressed the urge to cover his crotch. There was no hiding his half-hard cock.
“I…” Sebastian trailed off.
Vlad looked at him. Sebastian’s shoulders were stiff with tension, his fingers touching his lips. When their gazes met, Sebastian licked his shiny lips and cleared his throat. “Good night,” he said hoarsely and strode out of the room.
Vlad let out the breath he’d been holding, tension draining away.
Chapter 17
Sebastian felt like death warmed over when he left his room the next morning. He’d barely slept last night after returning to his room, mortified of getting caught sleepwalking again and asking Vlad to kiss him. Vlad probably thought he was a freak for more reasons than one now. Sebastian half-hoped that Luke—and Vlad—had left for Luke’s office so he didn’t have to face them.
But they both were in the living room.
Luke beamed at him when he saw Sebastian. “We have good news!” he said brightly, tucking a stray curl behind his ear. “The remaining members of the cult were finally caught last night!”
Sebastian blinked at him. He could see Vlad’s black-clad figure in his peripheral vision but carefully didn’t look that way. “That means I can go home, right?”
Luke nodded. “But you can stay—”
Sebastian turned around swiftly. “I’ll go pack my things,” he threw over his shoulder and retreated into his room.
Once there, he stared unseeingly into space.
He could finally go home. Away from Vlad.
Hermione’s meow pushed him into action. He packed quickly, grabbed his cat, and went to thank Luke for his hospitality.
“You don’t have to move out immediately,” Luke said, frowning.
“I want to,” Sebastian said. He felt Vlad’s heavy stare on him. It was more than a little disconcerting. He didn’t understand what was going on in Vlad’s head. “Thanks so much, mate, but I miss my own bed.”
“I get it, but I wish you could have stayed for a bit longer,” Luke said as they walked to the lift. He made a face. “I liked not being alone with Vlad.”