Page 18 of In the Dark

“Are you?” Key watched Kelvin, seeing the way he dropped his head.

“I am, because there is more I need to tell you, and it’s worse than the fact I’m a vampire and you’re my mate.”

“How can there be worse than that?”

“We have a law that forbids matings between vampires and humans and if one is found out, then they both usually suffer.”

“That’s just great. Peachy even. Please do tell me more. Now my life is fucked. Why not tell me everything so I can have the meltdown in one go?”

“The man who attacked you will come after you again.”

“I lied. I don’t need to know more and you can go.” Yep. He’d had enough. Fruit loop had to go, or he was leaving and he didn’t care that it was his apartment, either.

Chapter Eight

Peachy.

Kelvin liked that one. Better than nut job and fruitcake. He wasn’t sure why he was reacting this way to Key. He didn’t normally behave this way, but there was something about his mate that made him want to have a little fun, even if it made Key annoyed.

Key paced the floor in front of him, glancing at him. Well, glaring at him, really. “Why are you still here?”

“I can’t leave.” Not now that he knew Key was being watched and more. Maxim or one of his vampires would come for Key again at some point. They had to have figured out who or what he was to Kelvin, and even if they didn’t know for sure, they knew Kelvin had an interest in him. Kelvin had painted a target on Key’s back.

“Maxim. Tell me about him.”

Kelvin arched an eyebrow at Key’s question. So he wanted to know now? “Centuries ago –”

“I don’t need a history lesson. Just tell me who he is.”

Kelvin breathed deeply. His mate was fiery, and he liked it, but not right then. “You need to know about the history to understand who Maxim is.”

“Nope. Not interested.”

“Fine. Vampires have split into two factions, and he leads one. They don’t agree with vampire or human laws and consider humans beneath them. They hunt, feed, fuck, and kill any human they want. You are playthings to them.”

“That’s just lovely. Made my day. Thanks. I can sleep easy at night knowing I’m a burger for some hungry vamp.”

“You’re more than that. They might not know what you are to me, but they know I’m interested in you. They’ll come for you again.”

“Thanks. Maybe you should have gone all stalker mode on someone else and left me alone.”

“You’re my mate. There is no one else for me.”

“Buy toys then,” Key snapped. “They work fine.”

Kelvin smiled. “I know. I’ve seen you use them.”

Key spluttered, his eyes almost bulging. “You’ve spied on me? You’ve watched me in bed? Who the fuck do you think you are? You fucking perverted bastard.”

Kelvin moved and Key squeaked. One second he had been standing near the door and the next he was in front of Key, staring down at him. “You are mine,” he growled before grabbing Key’s arms and kissing him.

Key tried to twist away, but Kelvin wasn’t having any of that. He was tired of explaining to Key and he wanted his mate. Months of watching him, waiting, knowing he couldn’t have him, had him at boiling point, and Key had just tipped him over the edge.

Key tried to move his head away, but Kelvin followed, keeping their lips together. After a few seconds, Key’s body began torelax, and he slowly returned the kiss. Kelvin moaned softly, loosening his grip as he slanted his mouth across Key’s.

He licked Key’s lips and Key let Kelvin’s tongue inside. When they touched, Kelvin felt Key shudder and he knew he was as affected as Key was. Their tongues danced together as Kelvin pulled Key closer so their bodies touched. He moaned again, feeling Key against him for the first time, and knew he wanted more.

Key moaned deeply, his hands tangling in Kelvin’s hair, then he suddenly pulled away, staring at Kelvin as he panted. “What?”

---