Page 52 of Drink Up, Darling
“I thought we were going to kill him… accidentally.”
“We wouldn’t have,” Athens said softly, standing and retrieving his robe from the floor. “He’s just as stubborn as me, like I said. Too stubborn to die.”
Dariel winced then stood, reaching for his own gown, and trying to calm his mind. “So what now?”
“We freshen up. Let’s get that makeup off you.” Athens walked around the bed to meet Dariel and take his hands. “Plus, I believe I’m still owed something.”
Dariel relaxed into a laugh, all tension evaporating.
“Oh, you know how to play this game, don’t you?” He sucked in his lips.
“I do indeed.” Athens winked.
The pair of them turned back to the sleeping man one last time before heading for the door, turning the lights off. “You promise he’ll be okay?” Dariel asked.
“I promise. We’ll be there when he wakes up, he’ll need some aftercare.”
Chapter Twelve
Dariel followed Athens down the hallway to the room they now knew to be the bathroom, or at least one of them. The mirror was still slightly steamed up, damp on the tiles, and the faint smell of Godwin’s body-wash hung in the mist.
“I can’t wait to get to know him more,” Athens said as he turned the shower handle, sounding as though he was referring to a new colleague, not someone who had passionately fucked him less than an hour ago.
“We know his body,” Dariel half joked, arousal still lingering deep down as he caught a glimpse of Athens’ flat chest under the gaping side of his gown. The bedroom had been dimly lit, but now he could make out every tone and shape of Athens’ skin and body, and it was… perfect.
“Time to learn his mind,” Athens said, testing the water, before letting his robe slip to the floor, baring his body again. No shame or shyness. The tattoo was even more intricately detailed in this new bright light, barely leaving any skin on his arm uncovered. Dariel wondered if Athens planned on getting more, perhaps the other arm or other parts of his body. He considered if he’d perhaps get a few himself, one day. Maybe they could go together. If that’s what Athens would want.Don’t be silly,it’s just sex, nothing more. Godwin made it clear he was never looking for romance.
But what if Athens wants more?
Is that what you want, John?
“Stop gawking, you’ve seen it all now,” Athens said, stepping gracefully into the shower and letting the water fall over his face.
Dariel didn’t move, didn’t know how to.What next?
‘You could go and get our bags from downstairs. Maybe find us some towels? I didn’t think that through, did I?’
So that’s what Dariel did. He pattered down the grand staircase, the landing light reflecting off the large stained-glass window along the far wall to the stairs. He tried to keep his mind clear as he busied himself with the simple task.Don’t think about Athens that way. This isn’t a romantic engagement. It was never meant to be.
He dumped their bags in the spare room, and something flew past the window, dragging his gaze to the dark abyss before him. He took a moment to consider the view he’d have once the sun rose. How far he’d be able to see into the nearest town. He knew they were in the middle of nowhere, but only now did he truly realisehowsecluded they really were. He felt the draft emanating from the wooden gaps in the window and shivered.
He could hear the shower distantly and immediately went back to thinking of Athens.Stop thinking about him that way.
He couldn’t. He wanted sex, of course, but with Athens… he craved something more. And he couldn’t quite explain why. It had been forever since he’d opened up his heart to someone, let alone someone he’d only met hours ago. It was a dangerous move, but one he thought he could be strong enough to make.
He found a handful of neatly folded towels of various sizes in the built-in wardrobe to the side of the wall, almost too conveniently placed—as if he’d willed them into existence.
At least Athens had promised they could have some more time together, he would have to make the most of that. He closed his eyes and breathed in.Enjoy it while it lasts.
Before he went to join Athens, who was humming away to himself—tune carrying through the misty crack in the door—Dariel quickly slipped back over to the master bedroom, pressing an ear to the door to listen for life. Godwin was softly snoring on the other side, his pulse steady. Dariel sighed in relief, nodding to himself as reassurance.Everything will be okay.
He could go to sleep beside Godwin, be there when he wakes. They could talk, just talk. Godwin wouldn’t start to fall for Dariel—sex was all they would share, and that was more than fine. Dariel would gladly enjoy their times in bed, but Athens was different, and he worried if he got too close to the other vampire, he would want too much.
This night was about Godwin though. About living. A fresh start, right? Whether Athens truly would reciprocate the yearning for romance Dariel had begun to feel or not, this night had meant the world to him.
So, whatever happened in the coming days, Dariel never wanted to forget this.
He crossed the hall as silently as a spirit haunting the walls of an empty castle, and slipped back into the bathroom.
