Page 96 of Protecting His Vampire Mate

“Fair.”

He chugged half his glass, then grimaced. “Well, it’s official, I’m going to regret my fucking choices in the morning.” When I didn’t reply to that, instead choosing to wait him out, he chewed on his lower lip for a long moment and added, “Look, I’m pretty sure I’ve been at least a little bit in love with Michael for years. I didn’t see it for what it was until recently, though. But it’s not like it’s a secret. We haven’t talked about it or anything. But we both know what’s what.”

“And he doesn’t feel the same way?”

Danny shrugged, avoiding my gaze. “He used to, I’m pretty sure. Back when we first met, I think he had feelings at first. But I’d thought I was completely straight at the time. And I shut that shit down. Repeatedly. So, we both knew it couldn’t happen.” He paused, then added, “It still can’t happen.”

“Why not?” I asked. “I mean, if you guys were both into it, what’s the big deal? You’re both consenting adults. Workplace romances happen all the time, right?”

He rubbed his temples with his fingertips, looking frustrated.

“Because I’m still straight. Or, well, okay. So, I guess I don’t know what the fuck I am. Because completely straight guys probably don’t feel like this about other men.” He paused, dragged in a ragged-sounding breath, and then let it out slowly between his clenched teeth. “It’s like my head and my heart are saying one thing. But my body hasn’t gotten the fucking memo.”

“You’re not sexually attracted to him?”

“Not even a little.” He stared at his half-consumed glass of beer but didn’t seem to really be seeing it. His eyes were shiny and I wasn’t sure if it was the beer or not. “It’s completely fucked up. And Michael’s not much of a talker when it comes to stuff like this.”

“He’s into guys, though?”

“Oh, yeah. Every single town we pass through, he’s constantly finding some random guy to hook up with. It’s been like that for years, off and on.” He swallowed, his gaze returning to his drink. His cheeks darkened and he blinked a few times, rapid-fire. “But it’s gotten a lot more often since I said I was in love with him. It’s pretty much every night, now.”

“I’m sorry,” I replied, feeling sympathy twist my chest up into knots.

In that moment, I completely forgot that I had been afraid of Danny and Michael only a couple of months ago. That I had been the one who almost killed Michael and forced Danny’s confession in the first place. In fact, I completely forgot that they were supposed to be the bad guys for Tobias and I.

Is everything okay, babe?

I glanced up and found Tobias watching me with a concerned look on his face.

My emotions must have translated loud and clear through the bond. We were getting better at communicating on purpose with each other—and limiting what we didn’t want to share—but it was a work in progress.

Yeah, we’re doing okay. Uh—do you get the impression that these guys really just kind of need a friend to talk to?

Yup. I sure do. I started talking about cars and I swear to you, Michael looked like he was about ready to pop the question.

You belong to me, I reminded him.

Fuck yeah, I do. From across the bar, Tobias grinned wolfishly at me. But these two are definitely in need of other people besides each other. Is it weird that Michael is sort of… growing on me?

It’s not weird at all. Danny is too.

“Uh, you got really quiet,” Danny said. “I now realize that was a fuck of a lot more than I should’ve said.”

When I glanced back over at him, I saw that he had stopped making eye-contact with his beer and was now watching me with rapidly mounting unease clearly visible on his face.

“No, it’s good,” I replied. “I was just making sure Michael and Tobias are still playing nice. So far it doesn’t look like they’re killing each other. Yet.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Danny rolled his eyes, a little smile twisting on his lips. “He hasn’t shut up about you guys since we met you. You kind of blew his mind. And he already pretty much wanted to be friends with Tobias.”

“Strange way to show it, by kidnapping him.”

“Sorry about that. We both had a hard time believing that a vampire could still be…” He grimaced and flashed me an apologetic look. “Well, a person. But, for what it’s worth, I’m glad we were wrong.”

“And are we friends now?”

“Well, we’ve had a couple pitchers of beer, and we haven’t tried to murder each other yet. Plus, I just shared all my deep dark secrets. So, I can safely say that this is a new personal best for me in the friendship department.” Danny flashed me a quick smile and downed the last of his glass. “Next, we’ll be braiding each other’s hair and talking about boys.”

“We are talking about boys,” I pointed out.

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