Page 3 of Light Up
Benjamin watched the vamps leave. “Don’t you fancy having your neck bitten?”
“No.” He didn’t trust Nigel not to take a chunk out of him.
“What do you want to drink?” Benjamin asked.
“The usual for me,” Louis said. “He’ll have a bottle of orange juice, please. Top still on, screwed in place.”
“I am able to speak,” Tal pointed out.
“Isn’t that what you wanted?” Louis asked.
“Yes.”
“Fine.” Benjamin slipped away to the bar, his tail tucked over his arm.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Louis said at Tal’s ear. “I thought we’d never get you to come out again.”
“I’m already regretting it.”
Louis frowned and Tal felt bad.
“I didn’tmakeyou come,” Louis pointed out.
“It’s your Christmas present. And Easter. Hmm. And birthday. Benjamin’s too.”
At least Louis laughed.
See! I do have a sense of humour.
“And that hamper that arrived a few days ago isn’t our Christmas present?”
“Two presents. Lucky you.”
“You should have let us buy you something.”
“There’s nothing I need.”
Louis leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I am glad you’ve come. No reverting to form now you’ve broken theI’m-never-going-out-againcurse. Right? We just need to work on theI’m-never-going-to-trust-another-guyissue.”
“I’ve plenty more where they came from.”
Louis sighed. “I know, darling, but we will sort you out. You just have to make an effort.”
“Why should I bother leaving the house when I can get sex with people in whom I have very little interest, conveniently delivered whenever I like? Perfectly acceptable. Much less hassle.”
“True, but do you do that?” Louis stared at him. “Have you ever done that? Ever considered doing that?”
Tal winced. “Well, no, but the point is I could.”
“The pointis, my love, that you need to actually meet people and give them a chance to show you their true colours. One-off shags with strangers really isn’t you. I get that. A temporary release yes, but ultimately not very satisfying. You need to find someone who’ll give you just what you need.”
“I’m not looking.”
“Why not? The place is packed tonight. There must be someone here you’d like. Everyone knows the rules. Safe and consensual fun to be had by all.”
Tal suppressed his shudder. With Dorian, what had been safe and consensual fun had turned into the exact opposite. Tal had said no, and Dorian hadn’t listened. Partly Tal’s fault.
“No, it was not your fucking fault.” Louis glared. “And yes, I can read your mind. You need to talk to people. Including a therapist!”
