Page 5 of Isaiah and Jameson
“Well cared for?” He raised an eyebrow, letting his mouth curve into a smile. “I like that. That sounds a lovely situation, in fact.” Not that he had any intention of being barred from Isaiah’s quarters, but being a kept man had a nice cachet to it.
The relief was visible, Isaiah’s shoulders coming down from his ears. “Excellent. Harve assured me you were the man I needed. I tend to trust him, but I can be… stubborn.”
“I believe I am what you require.” He glanced around at the Colonial Spanish style room, with its terracotta tiles and whitewashed walls. The style was pueblo revival in windows and doors, though: tiny slit windows with the shutters closed and low doorframes. Lovely.
He’d done his research on Santa Fe, after all. Jameson liked to know what he was getting into.
“We’ve been here for generations. The house is absolutely comfortable and safe. You’ll find your room has a television and the library is extensive. I doubt you’ll be bored.”
“I love libraries! Do you have a study, as well?” His imagination ran wild. Leather furniture. Old books. A fire with dogs sleeping before it. Dozens of places to tie Isaiah down.
“I do. Your rooms have a sleeping chamber, a sitting chamber, and an area for a desk.” He could tell how badly Isaiah wished for this to work.
“Thank you.” He moved a little closer to Isaiah, but not enough to cause concern. “What’s your biggest issue? What kind of couple are we meant to be?”
Isaiah looked to his security, who was back in the room, and Jameson fought his growl.
“I need everyone to understand that I am not vulnerable, that the family house is well-defended. I was never intended to lead the family, but it has fallen to me.”
“That’s what I needed to know. The wine is excellent, by the way.”
“The family still owns vineyards in Spain.” Isaiah stood very still. So contained. “I was pleased to hear Harve’s recommendation, honestly. So quickly. I wasn’t sure he would find anyone.”
“Were you pleased? I hope I live up to it.”I think I can give you what you need, beauty.
“I hope you find this a peaceful place. It used to be a place you could lose yourself for years in books.”
That said all he needed to know. This one wasn’t used to command, or to being seen. Poor baby. “I like the hum.”
Oh that smile. It lit Isaiah’s visage up like a spotlight. “You can hear it too?”
“I can. It’s amazing.” In fact, in the house it was both louder and more comforting.
“Very few people can hear it. My mother could, and I can, but that’s it.”
“Really?” That statement genuinely surprised him. “It seems so obvious.”
“Apparently not. I find it comforting.”
“It is. It’s oddly so.” He smiled far more truly this time, hoping his fangs didn’t show. They tended to, which made it hard to be around humans in any lengthy capacity.
Icy blue eyes landed on his fangs, and Isaiah licked his lips and hummed so softly.
Oh, that made the teeth in question ache to bite. Tasty.
“Should we sit? Do you have time?” He hoped to encourage Isaiah to let them get to know one another.
“I do. Please, have a seat. We’ll start the fire.” Isaiah went to the mantle, clicked a button, and the fire blazed. Then he went toward the overstuffed loveseat by the fireplace.
Jameson ignored the chairs and perched himself next to Isaiah, facing him a little. “Thank you.”
“More wine?”
“Please. I didn’t have time to dine.”
“Diego, a glass ofsangfor Senor McMann and bring the bottle of wine and another glass, please.”
“Of course, sir.”
