Page 31 of Grave Throbbing
"What would you do if you had two floors to yourselves?" Greed flashed him a knowing smirk.
"I don't need more room," Harley said. He needed little beyond his study while he was awake. He had all the books, streaming services, and knowledge at his fingertips. He had a giant dining room he hadn't used for years before Key sat him down at the table to run his experiments. He didn't need a gym or indoor garden, so what could he possibly do with two floors?
"A movie theater," Key said. "Huge screen taking up all of one wall. We could invite everyone in the building and call in an order from Blood Drive. It would be perfect."
Harley grinned. "I like that idea."
"Maybe with a pull-out couch for when we're alone?" Key took a step closer to Harley and grabbed his hand, placing it on his chest.
Greed cleared her throat. "I'm calling Blood Drive now. I think we deserve a second round to celebrate. What do you all want?"
Fifteen minutes later, they had their drinks and Greed disappeared into the guest bathroom to enjoy a hot bath and hotter drink.
To give Key a neutral setting, as neutral as they could get in his own home, Harley motioned him to sit at the dining table. Instead of taking the seat at the head, Harley took the corner seat closest to the wall.
Key sat opposite him and wrapped his hands around his cup. This one was were-elephant with a hint of lion, according to the drink order he'd given Greed. Key opened his mouth like he wanted to say something but brought his cup to his lips for a deep drink instead.
Harley watched, mesmerized by the rippling of Key's throat as he drank. Harley wasn't compelled or coerced by Key, that was certain, but he was drawn to him, the same way he'd been drawn to Fanglory on a wish.
"How do you feel about moving here?" Harley hoped the question was innocuous enough when all he really wanted to do was ask Key to move in with him.
"It's close to where we'll be working." He pointed out the window to the north, where the courthouse was lit up plain as day. "I like short commutes."
"It's close enough for Blood Drive to deliver." Harley took a small sip of his drink to hide the fact that he was desperate for more pros beyond the location.
"I don't mind the walk, if I have someone to walk with me." Key's furtive glance filled Harley with hope before he hid behind his cup again.
"I'm addicted to these new flavors," Harley said. He'd branched out to his first were-animal with a simple werewolf and cider concoction Blood Drive was offering as their daily special. The cider infusion made him feel almost human again. "If I didn't have someone, I would go alone."
Key scoffed. "The first time you walk to get blood without me, I'll …" He shook his head and chuckled. "My standing bet with Greed when she's going to do something I don't want her to do is that I will drink an alley cat dry. Greed loves cats, and I'd never hurt her like that, but I say it to show her how disappointed I'd be if she did whatever we'd bet on." Key sat up straighter in his chair. "What about you? What's something you wouldn't want me to do?"
Harley's heart hammered in his throat. "I wouldn't want you to bite another vampire. Unless you had to, of course. For self-defense."
"For self-defense." Key smiled, displaying a hint of fang. "I like that. Harley, if you walk to Blood Drive without me, I will bite another vampire and make you watch."
Harley laughed. "I have a feeling Empress Marcella would return to kill us both if you bit anyone without provocation."
Key shrugged. "It's all on your shoulders. If you order in or walk with me, we'll never find out."
Harley lifted his cup to take another drink and found it empty. It was now or never. "I want you to have a place of your own, where you feel comfortable. I don't want you to think I'm pushing for anything beyond—"
"I want to wake up in your bed each night," Key interrupted. "And I want to be the one that puts you there each morning before you sleep like the dead." Key blurted the words so fast Harley wasn't sure what he heard.
He didn't need to know what Key had said. He pushed his chair back from the table and opened his arms.
Key rushed him. He was around the table and in his lap so quickly Harley didn't know what to do. He was lost in Key's body, his warmth, and the scent of blood on his lips.
Harley tilted his head up, and his mouth collided with Key's. The kiss was unlike any they'd shared before, full of desire, hope, and … something more. Harley wanted to define it, but it seemed too soon.
Key broke the kiss, panting in Harley's ear. "Take me to bed. I want you inside me."
Harley reached for his throat, his fingers shaking. "Are you sure?"
"Don't make me bite you."
Harley laughed. "I don't think that will be necessary." His erection was already straining at the front placket of his suit pants.
"Hey." Key grabbed his chin. "It's okay. We'll go slow. Do you trust me?"
