Page 24 of Love Lives
"She wasn’t like that.” Remy glared at him before returning his attention to his vegetables. "She was just depressed and…” He paused. “It doesn’t matter. Grandma took me in. She was a fantastic lady." He grabbed another onion. "She was kind and sweet. And she made the best damn soup. I never ever went hungry while I was with her." Remy laid the knife aside and rubbed at his eyes. "Stupid onions."
"Sure, blame the onions." Aldrich had seen Remy cut those things a million times, but they'd never driven tears into his eyes before. "Sounds like your grandma was an amazing woman."
Remy took a moment to gather himself, then proceeded to the carrots. "She was. Problem is, I can never get this recipe right. It never tastes the way it did when she made it."
"You sure you're remembering it right?"
"I can taste it in my mouth as if it was yesterday. But I can't recreate it."
Aldrich couldn't help but wonder exactly how often Remy had tried. In the short time they'd known each other, Aldrich must have witnessed at least five attempts already. Usually when he was stressed. Aldrich suspected it wasn't the dish but the feeling that Remy was trying to manufacture. A tall order for a couple of vegetables. Aldrich wasn't going to point that out, though. Everyone had a quirk. Aldrich didn't mind this one.
"What if you used more carrots?" he suggested. "Carrots are fun. I've seen some giant ones that would have made amazing toys, carved in the right shape."
Remy gaped at him.
Aldrich laughed, because that was exactly the reaction he'd wanted. Remy shook his head at him, trying to act all offended, but he couldn't quite hide the disbelieving smile that made his lips twitch and the heaviness dissipate from the air between them.
"You don't have to look at me like that," Aldrich said. "Can't tell me you've never experimented in the bedroom."
"Not with food."
"What then?" Aldrich leaned forward, intrigued, while Remy was doing his best to pretend that he wasn't paying too much attention to their conversation as he worked on the carrots. "Dildos?" Aldrich suggested. "No, I don't think you're the type. What do straight guys play with? Flesh lights?" Aldrich frowned. "They always say those feel like the real thing, but they don't. You'd think modern times would have come up with some more exciting sex toys than that. How many centuries will I have to wait to get robots?"
That little comment made Remy turn around. "You want to fuck a robot?"
"Nah, but I love seeing the horror in your expression."
Remy focused his attention back to his vegetables. "You're an ass."
"Yeah, but you want me around, anyway." Aldrich grinned.
"When did I ever say that?"
"Oh, it's in the things you didn't say. Two weeks at the hospital, armadillo, and you never once asked me go."
"I..." Remy stopped short as if surprised by the truth in Aldrich's words. "Why do you call me that, anyway?"
"Because armadillos are hard to crack, but when you do, they're delicious." Aldrich showed his fangs as he spoke, even though Remy wasn't looking at him. God how he wanted to sink his teeth into that beautiful neck. Armadillo or not. One day, he'd get what he wanted.
"I don't know if I like the thought that you want to eat me."
"Your siblings don't seem to mind the bite."
"My siblings can be extremely weird." Remy finished with the carrot and put a zucchini on the chopping block next.
"That's family for ya."
For a while, Remy worked in silence and Aldrich left him to it, his gaze alternating between the phone in his hand and the line of Remy's neck as he leaned over the kitchen counter. Maybe he should go out to hunt tonight. It wouldn't be as satisfying as drinking from Remy, but it might take the edge off his desire. Because right now? Every time he closed his eyes he imagined himself walking up to Remy, grabbing him from behind and biting him.
It would be easy. Remy wouldn't be able to fight him, wouldn't even get the chance before Aldrich had his fangs in him. He could do it tonight while the man was sleeping. Get his fill of that sweet, sweet blood.
It wouldn't be enough, though. Aldrich wasn't sure why it mattered, but he wanted Remy tovolunteerhis blood, wanted him to be a willing participant. Victory would taste so much more delicious that way.
"I haven't forgotten my promise," Remy said as if he knew what was going on in Aldrich's mind. Probably because Aldrich was still staring at his neck. "You'll get your blood," Remy added. "You deserve it."
He made it sound like a business transaction. Not exactly what Aldrich was picturing in his wildest fantasies, but he'd take it. "I'm looking forward to it." He licked his lips. "Now tell me what you experimented with."
Remy scoffed and proceeded to ignore him.
