Page 2 of Burn for Her

Present Day

“There’s not enough room to fuck inside a coffin and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Dorian grimaced as he clenched his teeth. He didn’t want to know how Lucian knew that.

“It’s true.” Lucian kept yammering. “Unless the lid has a sizeable bump out.” The vampire tapped his chin, thoughtfully. “Then maybe. I’m considering having one special ordered for the club just to test it out.”

Not surprising. Lucian was willing to try anything at least once. Dorian gave him the side-eye and kept walking. Lucian couldn’t help his constant chatting any more than Dorian could contain his anger most days.

“I had the best sex ever last night.”

“You went to the club?” Dorian highly doubted that.

“Hell no.”

“Then who’d you fuck?”

“Myself.” Lucian shrugged. “I know just how I like it. Therefore, I’m never disappointed.”

Holy Hell. “Please stop talking.”

“Jealous? Because if you ever—”

“Hard pass.”

“You can be top.”

There was no universe where Dorian wasn’t a top. “Pass.”

“You don’t know what you’re missing.” Lucian had the nerve to waggle his eyebrows.

“I’m good.”

“You’re not good, Dorian. You’re miserable just like the rest of us.”

Lucian wasn’t wrong. Between the never-ending war with the Savag-Ri, last week’s catastrophe, and the blood curse acting as a constant reminder of how strong their misery flowed, vampires like Dorian and Lucian were more than miserable. They were tortured.

Dorian locked his jaw and kept walking. Even now, his rage burned hot in his veins. Unrest was dangerous for a vampire.

But after what happened last week with Luke, no one blamed him or anyone else for being on edge. Dorian just needed to get through tonight, then maybe this constant angst riding his ass like a jockey at the derby would ease up. He also seriously needed to feed. Accustomed to going weeks or even months without tapping a vein, he might have let it go a little too long this time. Groaning, he massaged the back of his neck while keeping a steady pace down the hallway and immediately fell into a rabbit hole of dark thoughts. Like always.

Lucian grabbed his shoulder and the sudden, unwanted contact sparked Dorian’s aggression. He whirled around and slammed his friend against the wall and hissed. It took him a full three seconds to put a lid on his temper and shove it down where it belonged. “Don’t grab me like that.”

Lucian put his hands up and got serious. “Shit, sorry. I was trying to get your attention. You checked out on me, and I forgot you don’t like contact on your shoulder.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine,” Lucian said just as hostile as Dorian. “I’m up to my ass with this shit and haven’t slept in five days. I’ve grown careless. I didn’t mean to set you off or show disrespect.”

“It’s fine.” Christ, was that all he could say tonight?

Lucian didn’t talk again until they nearly reached the inner sanctum of the Kill Box.

Now Dorian felt like an asshole for snapping. Lucian shouldn’t have to apologize for anything. Of the two of them, Lucian suffered far worse than Dorian right now. He needed to cut his friend some slack.

“Hey.” Dorian paused with his hand on the doorknob. “I’m sorry for losing my temper.”

“Stop talking and go to work, Reaper.”

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