Page 50 of Soren

His vampire really was too beautiful for words.

Despite his own protests, Soren settled on Gabe’s lap, pulling the takeout on the table toward them. “Eat, human,” he ordered. “We need to feed those muscles.”

Gabe laughed, rubbing his nose against the back of Soren’s silky-soft neck.

Huh. Vampires could get goose bumps. Who knew?

“Make me a plate?” Gabe requested.

“Seriously…needy-ass human,” Soren muttered. But he was already piling little bits from the different containers together for him, allowing Gabe to focus his full attention on snuggling the vampire in his arms.

Gabe had never been so drawn to touch and be touched before.

Sex had always been a nice enough release, but PDA—like their dancing and groping at the club the other night—had never exactly been Gabe’s thing, and he wouldn’t have called himself a cuddler before. But touching Soren was a world apart from touching anyone else. It just was.

Soren’s voice broke through his reflection. “Are you going to ask me to feed you by hand too, Highness?”

Tempting. Very tempting.

But Gabe ultimately released one of his arms from its role in holding Soren hostage and pulled the container closer. Soren for his part didn’t seem too interested in the food this time, content to sit on Gabe’s lap as he ate his dinner.

“Do you, um, need to eat too?” Gabe asked between bites. “I mean, like, feed?”

Soren leaned back against him, keeping his head to the side so Gabe could get his fork to his mouth without interference. “I can last a few more days. I’ll let you know.”

A little thrill went through Gabe at the thought of Soren feeding on him again. It had been so intense, so pleasurable. He relished the thought of trying it again in a more private location, one where they could explore those…sensations…more fully.

He was halfway through his food when the doorbell rang again.

Soren immediately stiffened in his arms. “Expecting anyone?”

“No.”

Soren was off his lap and heading out of the kitchen in an instant. “Stay here,” he commanded. “If I yell for you to run, go out the back door immediately.”

“What?” Gabe protested, pushing his food aside. “I’m not gonna justleaveyou.”

Soren shot him a glare over his shoulder. “I can take care of myself, Highness. But not if I’m distracted worrying about you.”

That set off a complicated mix of emotions in Gabe. He’d always been strong, at least physically, and now here he was, cursing his weak-ass human body for not being stronger. He listened carefully to the sounds of Soren opening the front door. There was a soft murmur of voices; Soren definitely didn’t sound angry or panicked. And there was no yell for Gabe to escape.

After a few more moments without any drama, Gabe stood and poked his head out of the kitchen, catching the end of Soren’s “I didn’t think you’dactuallycome. How’d you even find us?”

He was talking to a young dark-haired man, on the shorter side—about the same height as Soren, actually. But whereas Soren often gave off the impression of more height, with his general attitude and penchant for heeled boots, this guy appeared more…dainty. Like a porcelain doll.

The small man was looking wounded at Soren’s comment. “I—I’m sorry. I can go.”

“Don’t be silly,” Soren snapped, running a hand through his hair.

Oh boy.

Gabe knew his vampire well enough at this point to know he probably wasn’t actually angry, despite his tone. More likely he was overwhelmed. Gabe watched as Soren stared at the young man for another moment before sighing dramatically. “Christ. Come inside.”

Gabe couldn’t contain his own curiosity anymore. He stepped out of the kitchen. “Who’s this?”

Soren shot him an exasperated look. “I didn’t tell you to come out yet.”

The young man leaned around Soren and gave Gabe a little wave. “Hello.”

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