Page 35 of The Vampire's Receptionist
Kian was careful not to watch Dorian too close with Harlem sitting beside him. He didn't want the kitsune to get the wrong idea. Or the right idea, since Kian could admit to himself he had the smallest crush on the vampire. It was tiny, miniscule even. Not something he’d ever mention. It was probably just because Dorian was being so nice to him. He knew the vampire was only doing it to make up for what had happened, but people weren’t nice to Kian often, not unless they were his parents. It was hard not to soak up the attention and read more into it than it was.
Harlem wrinkled his nose at Dorian’s hasty retreat. “Don’t mind him. He’s surprisingly fussy about caring for his feeders. Don’t be surprised if he starts showering you with presents. Gift giving and feeding people are his love languages.”
Kian huffed a small laugh, gesturing to the plants along the walls. “Yeah, I figured that out when I woke up to this. I mentioned that I like plants, and this is what I woke up to after a nap. My room is even worse.”
Harlem didn’t seem bothered by Dorian giving Kian that kind of attention, rocking a little in his seat as he laughed.
“That definitely sounds like him. I’ve lost track of the amount of boyfriends who’ve complained that I’m too spoiled thanks to him. He created a monster with me.”
Kian’s brows furrowed a little. He’d assumed they were in a relationship based on the way they interacted with each other. He didn't want to get his hopes up that he was wrong. Dorian had said Harlem had been his feeder for a long time. Maybe they didn’t get together right away.
“Well, I’ll be careful not to mention anything like that again. I don’t think Avery’s house could handle another trip to theplant shop,” he said, eyeing the plants along the wall. He hadn’t yet gone downstairs. He didn’t have a full picture of how many plants Dorian had actually purchased while he was sleeping.
Harlem snickered and shook his head before sobering a little. “So really. How are you? You really do look pale. Did the doctor check on you? Will Dorian need to find someone else to feed him while you recover?”
Kian waved away his concern, ignoring the twist in his stomach at the thought of Dorian going to someone else. They knew he was safe with Kian. He didn’t want a repeat of Dorian’s last attempt at feeding from someone else. It had nothing to do with Kian wanting to keep Dorian’s thoughtful attention on him. Nope.
“I’m alright. I tried to use my magic earlier, and it didn’t go well. I had a nap and another transfusion, and I’m feeling better. I’ll keep feeding Dorian until we figure things out. How about you? You looked really upset the last time I saw you.”
Harlem dismissed the notion. “I’m seriously not who anyone needs to be worried about right now. I was just upset at seeing Dorian acting like that.” His expression darkened, and he shuddered visibly. “He almost killed you, Kian. By the time I got back with help, you were passed out on the floor, and he still wouldn’t let you go. It was scary. And when the dragon came in?” He shook his head, frowning at his hands. “I’m not sure what was worse. Watching Dorian almost drain you dry or watching him being thrown around like a rag doll to keep him away from you.”
Kian put his hand over Harlem’s, squeezing gently. “I’m sorry. That must have been hard to watch. I couldn’t imagine watching someone I care about losing it like that.” And he really couldn’t. If one of his parents somehow went off the rails, he’d be heartbroken. He couldn’t imagine what it’d be like if it were his boyfriend.
Harlem drew in a shuddering breath and held it for a second before letting it go again. “It’s okay. I might have nightmares for a while, but otherwise, I’ll be fine. I’m more worried about the two of you.”
Harlem’s concern over Kian’s wellbeing was sweet, but it also made Kian feel guilty at the same time. Here was this sweet man who genuinely cared that Kian was alright, despite his bloodline. Meanwhile, Kian was crushing on his boyfriend and getting aroused every time Dorian fed from him. He felt like a jackass.
“Thankfully, my boyfriend said I could stay with him for a little while. I think I’ll sleep a lot better with him around.”
Kian nodded automatically before the comment stuck. He froze. It was awkward enough to feed Dorian with his friends nearby. He did not want to do it with Dorian’s boyfriend in the next room. Or worse, what if Harlem wanted to be in the same room? He could die from the shame.
“What are we discussing?” Dorian asked as he came in with plates for the two of them. He handed Kian his first, which only made Kian more uncomfortable. It was wrong for Dorian to favor him over his boyfriend.
Harlem happily took his plate from Dorian, breathing in the smell with a happy hum. “Yummy. I was just telling Kian that I’ll be staying with Ronan for a little while. I’ll still have my phone on me, though, so you just have to call if you need me. He lives down near the docks, so I’m not too far.”
Hold on. What?
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Kian’s head snapped up, and he looked sharply at Harlem, who was oblivious to his surprise. Dorian didn’t notice either, sitting beside Harlem with an affectionate smile. “Will I get to meet this one?”
Harlem wrinkled his nose. “I don’t know. After what happened with my last boyfriend, I’m not sure I trust you.”
Dorian sighed, exasperation heavy in his tone. “He wasn’t right for you. He only met with me to posture and treated you poorly. He deserved what he got.”
Kian sat up a little more, both riveted and eager for more information. It sounded like Dorian and Harlem weren’t in a relationship. He couldn’t be that lucky. Right?
“What did he get?” he asked, looking between the two of them.
Harlem, who had just taken a big bite of his dinner, covered his mouth with his hand as he spoke. “Dorian went all scary vampire on him. The poor guy was human, and it scared him shitless. Seriously, he peed his pants.”
Kian’s jaw hit the floor as he let out a startled laugh. “Wait, seriously?”
Dorian at least looked a little embarrassed. “Not one of my finer moments, I’m afraid. Granted, I didn’t realize that he was unaware I was a vampire. Harlem only told him we were friends. He saw me as a threat, since we are very close, and said some terrible things. I reacted. I did offer to wipe his memory of the event, but he wouldn’t answer Harlem’s calls after that night.” He shrugged, leaning his arm over the back of the couch with an expression that leaned a little too close to smug. He might try to sound embarrassed or ashamed, but Kian could see right through that. He was happy with how that night turned out.
“So… you two aren’t together? Because I’ll admit, I can see why the guy got jealous. You two do seem close.”
Harlem made a face. “No way. I love Dorian but like a friend. He’s way too stiff for me. He doesn’t know how to have any fun.”
