Page 18 of The Psychic and the Vampire

Keeping the coat tight around him, he moved toward the open door, peering outside. The bright sun made him blink and stopped him seeing anything for a moment, but when he could see clearly, Ant’s smile grew.

Viktor and Able were both in a large, fenced back yard. There was a lot of well-kept grass, a few scattered gardens, and toward the back, there were four large trees that would provide some welcome shade on a hot afternoon.

Vampire and dog hadn’t noticed him yet. Viktor had a stick and was holding it up, encouraging Able to jump for it. As Ant watched, he noticed Viktor wasn’t making it so it was impossible for Able to get it, and when the dog did get his teeth around it, Viktor let it go. Able ran around in circles, the stick proudly in his mouth, his tail wagging madly, which was a clear indicator of how much he was enjoying the game.

Viktor was chasing the happy dog. Ant knew how fast the vampire could move. He literally could not be seen with a human eye when Viktor wanted to run. But he was lunging after the dog, making out he was just about to catch that stick, but Able would duck just out of the way of Viktor’s hand, looking over his shoulder, the stick still firmly in his mouth.

Huddled in Viktor’s coat, Ant leaned on the doorframe, just taking it all in. Able didn’t get to play very often. He was a highly trained support animal and he and Ant had been together since Able was ten months old. Ant relied on him, and as he worked all hours of the day or night, Able did too.

But there was something heartwarming in seeing that his dog had never lost the ability to play. Ant knew that from a logicalperspective, but it was lovely to see. And Viktor…he was a total surprise. Every time Ant had seen him, Viktor’s energies had all been about raw power and brute strength. Ant didn’t think he’d even seen Viktor smile before.

Which is what made the scene he was watching all the more endearing. Viktor had got rid of the suits and was wearing a pair of jeans and a deep blue t-shirt that clung to his torso like a second skin. His dark hair had probably been tied back – Ant felt Viktor probably did that every day without thinking about it. But as he was running around, his hair was all askew. Combine that with the sexy grin – Viktor was laughing and looked just as happy as Able.

“You’re wearing me out, puppy.” Viktor dropped to the ground – no concern about grass stains on his pants as he sat down. Able immediately went over, his tail still wagging as he dropped the stick in Viktor’s lap. Chuckling, Viktor put it to one side, and patted his thighs, letting Able climb up on him. “You are a good puppy, aren’t you a good boy.”

Ant’s heart melted as he quietly shuffled off to find a bathroom. Then he’d check and see what Viktor had in his refrigerator. If there was one thing that would have Able come running was the smell of bacon cooking, and Ant imagined Viktor would probably respond the same way.

/~/~/~/~/

It wasn’t the smell of bacon that had Able running into the kitchen, it was more likely the clang of the cast iron pan on the stove top. After a bit of searching, Ant found Viktor’s frying pan – it was bigger than the one Ant used to help improve Bridget’s moods, so there was a bit of a clang as he set it down.

Seconds later there was the scrabble of claws on the wooden floors and Able came flying in, almost bowling Ant over ashis dog let him know how happy he was that Ant was finally awake. “Yes, I saw you playing.” Ant chuckled as he bent over, scratching behind Able’s ears. “You’ve got yourself a new friend, I see.”

Able accepted the scratches and then went to the bowl left on the floor for him, lapping at it furiously. Ant glanced over to the door to see Viktor was watching him.

“I don’t think I’ve ever slept so well.” Ant felt a shift in the energies and his cheeks heated. “Thank you for caring for Able. You have a lovely smile.”Shit. Why did I say that?Ant turned back to the stove top. “I was just about to cook breakfast. I hope that’s all right.”

“Areyouall right?” The words were deep, sending a shiver down Ant’s spine.

“Fine. Fine. Truthfully I’m embarrassed.” Ant busied himself opening the bacon package. “I’m certain Bridget will tell me I broke a dozen new mate rules by falling asleep on you the way I did. Is an apology appropriate?”

“You barely moved all night so you must have needed the rest. You don’t have to apologize for feeling comfortable enough around me to sleep so soundly.”

Ant hadn’t thought of his behavior like that. “I did do that, didn’t I?” He flashed a quick smile at the brooding vampire. “Not a lot of fun for you, but thank you for letting me sleep. Shall I cook all of this?” He held up the bacon package.

Viktor nodded. “There are eggs as well, and I dashed out and got a fresh loaf of bread as soon as the bakery was open.”

“All the fixings for a great breakfast.” Ant hummed happily as the smell of cooking bacon filled the air. It was the best smell inthe world, in Ant’s opinion. Well, that and freshly baked bread and equally fresh coffee which Viktor was making.

The scene was all very domestic, again in Ant’s opinion. He had no idea of how Viktor was feeling. While Ant didn’t usually get any visions of things to come, he did get inklings of foresight. The way Viktor moved around him as they prepared breakfast and set it on the kitchen counter boded well, at least in Ant’s opinion, for their future together.

That didn’t mean everything was glowing brightly in the morning sun. Ant waited until Viktor was halfway through his meal before asking quietly, “So, are you going to share what’s bothering you, or are we meant to indulge in mutual orgasms first? From your energies, it’s difficult for me to tell which action is most pressing from your perspective.”

Chapter Fourteen

Viktor almost choked on his bacon. He wasn’t sure what shocked him more – the way Ant immediately knew he was hiding something, or that the psychic threw his aching balls into the same sentence along with his concerns.

It had been a long night. Viktor could go for a week without sleep and not suffer unduly because of it. But watching Ant sleep, his body primed for claiming and his mind plagued by thoughts of how his association with Tony could threaten their bond before it had truly been formed… The hours crawled by with no resolution on either front by the time the sun started to rise. Able wanting to go outside had provided a perfect distraction for an hour or so, but it still hadn’t resolved either of Viktor’s problems.

“If it’s a choice you’re offering, I’d prefer the orgasm first,” Viktor said bluntly. “But I’m failing to see how we could have a mutually pleasurable experience if the moment you grab my dick you pick up the issues we have to talk about. It might be best to talk about them first.”

Ant wrinkled his nose and frowned as he popped some egg into his mouth. After he’d swallowed he said, “I’m not in the habit of grabbing someone’s genitals, so I can’t tell you if that might happen or not. I get impressions from people any time I touch them anywhere on their body, so hypothetically it could happen if I touch you in an intimate way. It’s one of the reasons I am not comfortable in crowds – touching someone casually and that causing a vision, I mean. Is the news you don’t want to share likely to upset me?”

Viktor considered his mate for a moment. Ant was serious. “Possibly. Probably. Most likely.” When he saw Ant’s frown deepen, he added, “Most people would be upset by the thought of a mob boss after them, but you and I don’t know each otheryet, so you could surprise me. Someone shot at you less than forty-eight hours ago. For all I know you could be used to being a target.”

“I don’t think anyone gets used to being shot at. I hope not, as that’s not fun.” Ant’s smile was a quick one. “Was your boss responsible for that bullet you caught for me?”

“I didn’t know the people who shot at you, so I’m guessing not.” Clearing his throat Viktor added, “He might be responsible for the next one though. You’ve been seen with me now and it won’t be long before my boss realizes who you are.”

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