Page 40 of The Baritone's Rival

But it was more than that. There were few truly unique voices in the world. The true magic came from the marriage of superb musicianship with the singer’s passion, the way they imbued the words with deep meaning. And that is where Trent was a revelation.

As he reached the end of the aria, Oscar’s heart broke as Trent’s plea for his sister’s safety spun off into heaven. The room around them was alive with sound, the pine boards of the cabin themselves vibrating in sympathy with Trent’s desperate prayer.

O Roi des cieux, jette les yeux,

Protège Marguerite, Roi des cieux!

Trent finished the final phrase and a quiet settled over everything. It was fragile and perfect, and Oscar was loath to break it. Trent eventually started to blush at the exposed silence.

“What do you think?” he asked tentatively.

“That was exquisite,” Oscar whispered, not wanting to introduce normal speech into the hushed temple the cabin had become. “I’ve never…I’ve heard you sing before, but this was special.”

“I don’t know…” The lack of confidence in his singing was something Oscar had not seen in Trent before, and it broke his heart.

“I do,” Oscar replied, stepping closer to Trent. “You can borrow my certainty. That aria will show anyone who hears it the beautiful and sensitive artist you are.”

Trent stared into his eyes, and it was clear to Oscar that he was fighting his instinct to reject the praise. Oscar reached out, grabbing both of his arms above the elbows.

“Please believe me, Trent. You are special.”

A creak of a door opening came from off to the side of them, and they broke apart as Justin, now in a different pair of pajama pants, emerged from his bedroom.

“Anyone wanna play cards?”

Chapter 13

Oscar

Canasta. Alexander, Oscar’s foster dad, had taught him the game. Old-fashioned, maybe, but he didn’t mind that. Oscar wasn’t in the mood for anything more contentious. The three of them played a few light-hearted games, and the surprise of the night was that the most competitive person there wasJustin. Evidently, Trent’s aggressive streak didn’t extend beyond his career ambition.

Eventually, sleepiness overtook Justin once again, who made his excuses and retreated to his room, leaving Trent and Oscar alone. They sat on the couch and talked, lit by the glow of the single propane lantern. Trent’s face was even more handsome in the dim light, his blue eyes sparkling in the warmth of the lamp.

This was going to kill Oscar. He was here for another week, and now that they were…well, what were they? Friends? They weren’t enemies anymore, distant and snarky. Oscar, for his part, couldn’t bring himself to care about Trent’s career competitiveness, but he doubted Trent felt the same. Trent had this idea that Oscar was standing in the way of his dreams.

But Trent had hugged him. He’d given him a solid mooring when the memories of the past threatened to overwhelm him.He had acted like, well, a mate. And that was before Trent sang for him and turned him inside out.

Which is why this was going to kill him. Trent was beautiful, and sexy,andhis mate, but he couldn’t reveal that. Trent would be out the door in an instant. So instead, Oscar sat in the cabin’s fading light with the man, fighting off his desperate need to touch him.

It would be fine. Or it wouldn’t, and then Oscar would implode.

“Thanks for teaching me canasta,” Trent said, his voice low and sweet, a soft contrast to his masculine physical presence.

“I know people think of it as an old lady’s game, but I love it.”

“It was really fun.” Trent reached out a hand, and it landed heavy and even on Oscar’s bare leg. The touch ignited a shower of sparks, like a city streetlight bulb exploding. Damn, the human reallywastrying to murder him.

“Thank you for singing for me.” Oscar could barely get the words out. His right hand gripped the smooth, brown leather of the couch. He needed to kiss this man. He’d been so stupid thinking he could keep himself from pursuing Trent. Now that they were alone, now that his mate sat in front of him, his resolve was gone. He had to try.

“Oscar, I…” Trent turned away, his long eyelashes fluttering as he blinked. “I don’t know how to do this. But I don’t think I can stop myself. You, uh, you make me feel things, things I’ve never felt before. You’re a man. And avampire. I shouldn’t be so attracted to you. But I am.”

Oscar nodded, not trusting himself to say anything.

“So, I…I haven’t been with, you know…” Trent’s hand trembled against Oscar’s leg, and a burst of affection bloomed in Oscar’s chest. “But if you don’t let me kiss you right now, I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

Oscar grabbed Trent’s hand, clutching tightly. He had to speak. He had to. This had to happen.

“Please.” Oscar forced the word out, his gaze never moving from Trent’s eyes, those deep blue eyes shining out from his open face. Oscar hadn’t noticed until this trip how lonely Trent was, and how vulnerable. Did he always look like that? He wanted to take it all away, to make him feel cared for and safe.

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