Page 18 of Devil May Hunt
“I’ll contest it.” Brennon didn’t look as angry as he had a minute ago. Instead, there was fear written on his face, and his eyes darted toward the hallway that led to the front door. He’d never make it past Gunho, and he must have realized as much, because he didn’t try.
Yet.
He would.
He’d run again, but this time Gunho would let him.
Brennon had to be allowed to leave, so that he could see the futility in that and come crawling back on his own.
“Aren’t you at least a little bit interested in what I have to offer?” Gunho asked. He was standing by the kitchen with his back resting against the breakfast bar. The house he’d purchased wasn’t overly grand, with just two levels. It was a starter, more than anything. Keeping the space minimal so Brennon had to get used to his presence. “I’m an Imperial prince.”
“I’m not looking for a prince,” Brennon replied coolly. “Or a life partner.”
“No?”
“No.”
“Not even if I was Rin?”
His pretty lover bristled. “How do you know that name?”
“I figured you didn’t recall crying about how you’d been spurned by your best friend.” After the first few times, Gunhohad allowed the other man to rest, but Brennon had downed another bottle of alcohol during the break and promptly burst into tears. “I know the entire sob story.”
“Since being rejected isn’t a big deal to you, this shouldn’t be a problem then. That’s what I’m doing. Rejecting you.”
“You can’t.”
“Like hell!”
“If you think about this rationally, you’ll see this is a good offer. We have a lot in common. We’re compatible more than just sexually, though you have to admit, our chemistry is phenomenal in that department.”
“You were okay.”
Gunho laughed. “Don’t say things you don’t mean. Unless you secretly want me to throw you down and give you a refresher? Raya said no intercourse after you’ve applied the ointments, but we haven’t done that yet, so we won’t be breaking any rules if I shove you face first onto the couch cushions and mount you right now.”
“Don’t you dare.” Brennon took a fighting stance, but he was still weak from the past few days and it showed.
“Come here.”
“No.”
“I’m not going to do anything to you,” he motioned over his shoulder, “I just want you in the kitchen so I can feed you. You’re about to pass out again.”
“I can feed myself.” He took a step around the coffee table but paused before daring to go further. “I’m leaving.”
Gunho sighed. “What if I promised to let you leave after you’ve eaten? Would that suffice?”
Brennon’s eyes narrowed. “You expect me to believe that?”
“There’s no need to keep you here against your will.”
“But you just said—”
“You’re mine,” he confirmed. “You’ll still be mine while you’re running away. You’ll be mine at the Academy, in this house, on or off the planet…You get the point. It doesn’t matter what you believe, what matters is the truth. And the truth is—”
“You want me,” Brennon tossed up a palm and cut him off. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. Enough already.”
That hadn’t been what Gunho was going to say, but he could see he’d already pushed his pretty lover past his limits for the day. He’d wait until later to lay down some ground rules and explain his expectations. Of course, he wasn’t a complete monster, he’d allow Brennon to set some of his own in turn.
