Page 40 of The Vampire's Receptionist
Dorian’s stomach quickened at the thought, and for a moment he thought about what would occur, should Kian ask for his help again afterward. It made him harden in his slacks, and he had to stick his hands in his pockets to hide his reaction.
“I think it might be best to wait a few more hours. You need to eat, and I believe Doctor Chapman will be here soon to check on you. Perhaps around lunch?”
Kian nodded, avoiding his gaze. Dorian wondered if there would ever be a time that they could face a feeding without the awkwardness between them.
When Kian had finished with his meal, Dorian took the tray back downstairs, placing it on the counter beside the sink to be cleaned. Before he did so, he took a moment to himself, leaning his hands against the counter, his head slumped forward.
It was hard not to feel overwhelmed with the guilt of the position he’d put Kian in. The man wouldn’t be here, stuck in bed, facing constant embarrassment thanks to needing an audience whenever he fed Dorian, if it weren’t for him. If he’d just taken care of himself in the first place, he never would have needed to feed from Kian, nor would he have ended up reliant on him. Kian’s continued discomfort was his fault, and nothing he tried seemed to do much to help.
A heavy hand settled on his shoulder and squeezed lightly in support. “You’re doing what you can. Stop blaming yourself.”
Maverick’s voice held no judgment, and they’d already spoken and apologized to each other for their interaction during the incident. Maverick knew Dorian had not been in his right mind, and Dorian was well aware that Maverick never would have hurt him had he had any other choice. He did what was necessary to save Kian’s life. Dorian would never complain about that.
“He’s here because of me,” Dorian argued, glaring at the spotless granite countertops. “He would not be in this position if it weren’t for me.”
“You don’t know that. Fate is not very forthcoming with her plans. I felt the same way when Isaac volunteered to help me with my temper. I was angry with myself for dragging him into my mess.”
Looking over his shoulder, Dorian studied his friend. “What did you do to make it better?”
Maverick shook his head. “Not enough at the time. I was too angry to think clearly. But afterward? When I was in my right mind and thinking clearly? I made a vow to do better. I practice meditation with him every morning as we wake and most nights before we go to sleep. I give my dragon more time. Anything he asks of me.”
“Not without complaint, you don’t,” Isaac argued as he joined them. He shot a teasing grin at his mate. “I have to get creative to get you to meditate with me.”
From the look on his face, Dorian assumed he didn’t want to know what methods he used to get his friend to participate. There were just some things he didn’t need to know. Maverick smirked at his mate, but didn’t engage, shaking his head instead.
“I do my best.”
Isaac’s expression softened. “I know. And that’s all I care about.” His attention shifted to Dorian. “I’m sure Kian knows you’re doing your best. Don’t forget, he volunteered to help you. He cares about your recovery just as much as you care about his. Keep being diligent with feeding on time and taking care of yourself, and he’ll see that you’re trying. For those of us who offer to help, that’s all that matters.”
Dorian took those words to heart and nodded. If taking care of himself showed Kian that he was honored by the risk he took and the continued sacrifices he made, then Dorian would do it. On top of that, he would limit the embarrassment Kian faced as much as he could.
Turning around to face his friends, he said, “With Doctor Chapman’s permission, I’d like to stop the supervision during feedings. I’ve felt fine since the incident, and not once did I feel as though I wasn’t in control of myself. It embarrasses Kian to have an audience, and I’d like to limit that if I can.”
Maverick was hesitant, which stung a little, but Isaac seemed on board, nodding. “That should be fine. I don’t think we’llneed to wait in the hall anymore, anyway. As long as we’re in the house, we’ll be able to hear if Kian calls for help. You both deserve a little privacy. I got a message from Tony. He said Doctor Chapman is sending a nurse to check on Kian, so you’ll have to call to get his opinion.”
Dorian dipped his chin in thanks, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll do that now. I’d like to get ahold of him before my next feeding.” He paused before walking away. “Thank you both. I appreciate it, truly.”
The tension in Maverick’s face softened as his mate came to his side. Dorian never thought he’d see a day where Maverick would be considered soft, but if Isaac was involved, it was easy to see how much he’d changed, thanks to his mate. He lifted his gaze to Dorian, his words kind when he said, “You’re my friend. I’m here to support you. I hope this issue passes quickly, and the doctor brings you good news soon.”
He left the couple alone, Maverick’s words tumbling through his head. When it first happened, he was almost desperate for Doctor Chapman to bring him any kind of cure to set Kian free. But the more he got to know the beautiful man, the harder it became to accept the idea of him walking away. When all was said and done, he liked Kian, and he wasn’t looking forward to the day they parted ways.
He pushed that feeling aside with a sigh. Kian deserved his freedom. He shouldn’t have to spend the rest of his life caring for Dorian. He’d done that enough when he saved Dorian’s life. Dorian needed to do what he could to help find a cure for their current problem. As soon as he was done with his meeting, he would put his mind to the task.
And maybe, after all was said and done, he might be able to spend time with Kian without him feeling obligated. One could hope, anyway.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Kian got maybe two chapters into Avery’s book before getting bored. It wasn’t that the storyline wasn’t good, it sounded interesting, but he didn’t like sitting still and books never really were his thing. He wanted to get up and move, to find a project, something. He regretted now turning down Dorian’s offer to move him somewhere else. At least there, he could be social. It just felt too awkward to accept. He didn't want to force his presence on anyone just because he was bored out of his skull lying in bed all day. He’d just be in the way anyway. Dorian had meetings, the other two probably did as well. They didn’t sign up to entertain him on top of all that.
Scrolling mindlessly on his phone only kept his focus for maybe ten minutes before he gave up. He never bothered with social media, and didn’t have many games that kept his attention. What he wouldn’t give to use his magic right now. Even just to talk to the plants.
When his phone rang, he leapt to answer it, despite knowing the only person who’d call him was his mother, and she would only fuss over him if she found out he got hurt. He was so bored, he decided to risk it, putting the phone to his ear as he stared at the ceiling.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, yourself. I honestly thought you’d be too busy to answer me. You know, like the last six dozen times I called.”
Kian rolled his eyes, a smirk pulling at his lips. “Liar. We talked on Saturday. Don’t tell me you’re bored, too.”
