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)
Though, sometimes it was hard to stay firm in that belief. It was hard to stay aloof when he could see the turmoil of emotions in Vlad’s eyes. No matter what he told himself, he couldn’t just turn his emotions off. Although Vlad had kept his word and didn’t say anything to him, there was a part of Sebastian that wanted to reach out and comfort him when Vlad felt stressed out, to say that it was okay, that being attracted to men wasn’t wrong. He didn’t, of course. For one thing, he doubted such an attempt would be well received. For another, Sebastian was terrified. Terrified of getting too attached.
“Antonio is fun,” Sebastian murmured. He wanted to open his eyes and look at Vlad but didn’t want to risk it. He sucked at resisting Vlad when Vlad looked at him. “It’s never boring with him.”
“I’m sure,” Vlad said with such venom that Sebastian snapped his eyes open. He suddenly remembered that Vlad had heard his phone conversation with Antonio a few weeks ago and knew that he and Antonio were fuck-buddies.
Was Vlad jealous?
The thought made a funny feeling appear in the pit of his stomach.
Sebastian eyed Vlad, his stiff posture and stony face.
Was he jealous?
“He wanted to come over,” Sebastian said, watching Vlad carefully. “But I was too sore and didn’t feel like getting more sore.”
Not a single muscle moved on Vlad’s face. Sebastian’s stomach dropped and he realized he had wanted Vlad to be jealous. It was stupid, but he had wanted it. He had wanted Vlad to explode with rage, grab him and kiss him, and say Sebastian was his and only his—
What in the actual fuck? He’d always despised possessiveness, had always thought he was nobody’s possession, and now he wanted Vlad to go all possessive over him?
“I’m sure he can come over another day,” Vlad said tonelessly, not even looking at Sebastian. He didn’t seem bothered at all. And why would he? Sebastian was just a casual fuck, nothing more. Unlike him, Vlad didn’t seem to have a problem remembering it.
“Yeah,” Sebastian said, anger tightening his throat muscles. God, he was such an idiot. “Maybe tomorrow. I’ll invite him over tomorrow.”
Vlad pressed his lips and gave a curt nod. “I won’t bother you anymore, then.” He turned away swiftly and grabbed his jacket from the chair.
Panic bubbled up inside him. Was he leaving for good? Would he ever be back?
“Wait,” Sebastian blurted out, hating himself a little for it. When Vlad turned to him, Sebastian looked at Vlad from under his eyelashes. “You can come, too. Tomorrow.”
Vlad went very still. “What?”
Fuck, was he really suggesting a threesome with Antonio? But he had painted himself into a corner. He couldn’t back out now.
Sebastian forced out a smile. “If Antonio comes, it doesn’t mean you can’t, too. The more the merrier, right? It will be fun. Tony lives for casual sex and would be fine with it.”
Vlad stared at him. Sebastian couldn’t read his face at all.
At last, Vlad nodded tersely and walked out of the room.
Sebastian was left blinking after him, feeling lost. How had they gone from having delicious, toe-curling kisses to agreeing to have a threesome with another man?
And what’s wrong with a threesome?
Sebastian frowned, chewing on his lip. Threesomes could be fun. He had participated in a few of them in the past, but…But.
He didn’t think Vlad was comfortable enough with his sexuality to participate in a threesome with another man. Vlad wouldn’t be comfortable touching another man. Or kissing another man, or paying attention to someone other than him, Sebastian—
Sebastian groaned aloud. Seriously? Jealousy and possessiveness had no place in a casual relationship. This was bad.
So, so bad.
Chapter 22
Antonio Bonaventura was a tall, dark-haired man with olive skin, very white teeth, and a charming smile.
Vlad disliked him immediately.
Antonio smiled at Vlad, giving him an appreciative once-over before shaking his hand firmly. His thumb caressed Vlad’s wrist. “You can call me Tony.”
Sebastian cleared his throat, putting a hand on Vlad’s bicep. “So, this is Vlad, my…” He trailed off, his brows furrowing. “Friend,” he finished eventually.
Antonio chuckled. “A friend like me, right, bello?” He winked at Sebastian, slinging an arm around his shoulders and kissing the corner of Sebastian’s mouth.
Vlad forced himself to unclench his fists. He looked away, wondering what he was even doing there. He shouldn’t have come. The mere idea of sex with that guy turned his stomach with unease and faint disgust. For all the doubts that filled his mind after sex with Sebastian, touching and kissing Sebastian never made him uneasy.
He wanted to leave.
Except he didn’t want to leave Sebastian alone with that slimy Italian. He hated the way the Italian looked at Sebastian, undressing him with his eyes.
Soon he will be literally undressing him.
Vlad ground his teeth and told himself he didn’t care. No strings attached: that was what they had agreed on. They didn’t owe each other anything. Sebastian could touch anyone he wanted. Any other man—or woman—could touch Sebastian. Vlad didn’t have the prerogative.