Page 45 of Bloody Temptations

In my defence, I agreed before I had my first blood of the morning. Less in my defence, I was still riding high on the thrill of drinking from Kai. Which is probably how I managed to wake up before him.

Since sneaking out like I did—or more accurately, respectfully leaving him to sleep—he’s been different. He still sends me his good evening and good morning texts. But there hasn’t been a single selfie in the past four days. Before we hooked up, I was averaging two a day. And when I send himCrumblesthreads I think he’ll find funny or interesting, I’m only getting short ‘lol’ replies back.

Maybe it has nothing to do with sneaking out and everything to do with sleeping over in the first place. I mean, we’ve been out a couple of times and made out at his work, but it’s not like he’s proposed mateship or anything. Or maybe I’m bugging him by not getting the hint after we hooked up? Maybe he’s done with me already?

It’s all so confusing, I don’t know where I stand with all this casual dating or friends hooking up or whatever in the name of the Gods this insanity is. And I am too chicken to ask in case it all blows up in my face.

I can’t even ask anyone else about it, because while I’m sure Bedeer and everyone would love to weigh in on my screwing around with one of the HVBs, I’m not really up for their particular brand of thirsty honesty.

So I’m back at Bloody Temptations, to see if I’m just reading into things.

Unfortunately for me, the place is packed tonight. I’m not going to be able to snag my usual place at the bar, so I find a high table and take a seat, waving to Rolli standing guard by the door to the back rooms.

He gives me a big smile and wave, so obviously I haven’t done anything too terrible. I had almost convinced myself that Wendy—the human working the door tonight—was going to tell me I was banned.

“Boo!” Belinda cackles when I jump. I was watching Kai too closely. “Seriously, it’s a good thing you’re here. He’s been in a mood the past few days. Won’t say what’s wrong, not even to Nikolo.”

At first I don’t believe her, but then I look past the front he’s put on for work, and I can see there is definitely something dimmer about his sparkle tonight.

Shit.

“Uh, yeah. I’ll go up and see him when I can get up there.” I stammer out the excuse.

It’s a plausible one at least. As much as I usually loiter around the bar, I do try to get out of the way when they get busy. Especially because I’ve noticed the cost of my drinks has severely decreased in line with the increase in my friendship with Kai.

“Ugh, I know right? It’s like the frost thaws and we get overrun. It’s bad enough the nights are getting shorter, but the work gets harder too!” Belinda groans and cuffs me on the shoulder. “I’ll bring you a drink when I can—on the house so long as you can get a real smile out of Kai.”

Usually that would be a safe bet, but tonight I’m not feeling so sure of myself.

The first rush fades and the bar clears enough to be able to take a seat on one of the stools lining the long bar.

“Hey.” For a horrifying moment I think Kai is going to blank me entirely under the guise of intently cleaning the bar, but then he looks up. Belinda is right, there is definitely less spark in Kai’s eyes.

“How’s it going?” I ask when he just keeps on looking at me.

There is a smile, but I still haven’t won Belinda’s challenge. It barely lifts his cheeks.

“Fine, just been busy, you know?” The smile is more of a tight line now.

“I’m sorry. For leaving. That was such a dick move. I’m a dick. I had a text from my boss offering me an extra couple of hours and I agreed before I realised how quickly it meant having to leave. I’m not used to the shortening nights yet.” The words tumble out of me, one after the other, in a chaotic rush. Kai finally stops passive aggressively cleaning and looks at me, really looks at me, the ghost of a real smile teasing the corners of his lips. “So yeah, long story short, I fucked up, I’m a dick, and I’m sorry. But I had a good time. Great time even.”

That last bit is the winner, apparently. Kai chuckles and throws the towel on the bench. It's the first night of the weekend, but he and Nikolo aren’t in their crazy outfits tonight, even if the cut off black tee and black denim short-shorts are more flamboyant than their weekday work clothes.

When he crosses his arms, like he is right now, his shirt rides up even more, showing off more of his delectable abs.

Man, I hope I haven’t completely blown it with him, because I need another chance to taste the lines of those muscles. Maybe sink my fangs into some of the perfect skin there. Trace the lines of his scar with my tongue.

Fuck. I’m staring. And probably drooling. I try to covertly check the corner of my mouth with my hand, but Kai definitely notices.

“I had a good time too, Finn,” he says softly, his eyes locking on mine for a moment of eye contact so intense it should come with its own censorship warning.

I lick my lips, and he watches the movement, biting his lower lip in response. The noise of the club fades to static until someone bumps my stool. I physically shake myself, cursing the horny mush he has once again reduced my brain to.

“I, uh, have when everyone’s free to go to Hearts Gate. Are you and Nikolo still keen on going?” Considering I don’t actually breathe, my voice is pretty freaking breathless.

Kai smiles and bites his lip, nodding to the human up the bar waving him down.

“Couldn’t stop me if you tried. I’ll be right back and we’ll figure it out.” The human calls out again, slightly more impatiently. That’s despite completely blanking Lifo who attempts to serve her. “And maybe we can lock in something else, yeah? Just us two?”

---