Page 18 of Jinn

“Then find a way he can keep you both.”

Finn sagged in his booth seat. “I honestly don’t know what to do. All I know is that the more I’m around him, the more attached I grow. He’s just so damn perfect for me. The way he sees the world… It’s magic. It’s like he was designed just for me.”

“If he’s your soulmate, then he was. I couldn’t believe Ezra was for me at first because he drove me crazy. We couldn’t be more opposite. But it just works. He completes me in a way I had no idea I needed.” He picked up his mug and took a slow sip as he stared at Finn. “Ajax wouldn’t have to give up his music, though. He could still create it. He’d just have to give up the fame, and not right away. Some people hardly show their age. Look at Paul Rudd.” He cracked a grin.

That brought a chuckle out of Finn. “True. But we’re talking hundreds of years, and I just can’t see a man that dynamic staying in the background.”

“You really need to talk with Xavier.”

“I will when I’m ready to admit I’m thinking of breaking his damn rules.”

“Trust me, he will be open to it. He was with me. And with Callan and Bain.”

Finn narrowed his eyes at his friend. “You think he knew ahead of time?”

Alaric wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I can’t answer that.”

“He did, then. He so did.” Reeling, Finn sat up straighter. “Fuck, that doesn’t change anything. This is still a problem. One I can’t think of an answer to. I’m going to have to find a way to resist him.”

“I don’t think you can. That pull…it’s stronger than we are. I couldn’t resist Ezra, and I’m so happy I didn’t. He’s everything to me.” Alaric touched his hand again. “I want that for you, Finn. Don’t you think you deserve happiness?”

“It’s not my happiness I’m worried about,” he muttered.

“Just the fact you care so much about his means he truly is what you believe he is. He belongs to you. And you to him. You’ll find a way to make it work. You really have no choice.”

But he did have a choice. That was the problem.

Chapter Eleven

Finn

Finn tapered off his run around the property into a jog. He’d stayed clear of the gate and luckily, there were a lot of trees on the property. There was also a small koi pond just past the small kitchen porch, and he whipped off his sweaty T-shirt and sat next to the water. Slipping off his shoes and socks, he plopped his feet into the pond and leaned back to let the sun warm his bare skin because there was a cool, spring breeze dancing in the air.

Ajax had already been locked into his studio when Finn had gotten up around six. He’d think the man had been in there all night, but Finn knew where he was at all times and had heard Ajax shut himself in there around four. Finn had flirted with the idea of getting up at the same time but instead had half-dozed for another couple of hours, having hazy, sexy dreams about Ajax.

When he’d finally gotten up, he’d had to exercise to get those images out of his head.

The door off the kitchen opened, and Ajax stepped outside carrying two mugs of coffee. He walked to Finn and held one ofthe mugs out. He was in a pair of black silk pajama pants, his tattooed chest bare.

“You started early today,” Finn said as he took the hot beverage and forced himself not to look at all that bare skin.

“Did I wake you? I tried to be really quiet.” Ajax sat on the ground next to him, his gaze slowly moving down Finn’s chest.

“I’m tuned in to you during this job just as I am to the whole property. Preternatural perk. I didn’t mind. You have to work when the inspiration strikes, right?”

“Right.”

Ajax was still staring at Finn’s chest. Did he realize he’d licked his lips? Inwardly, Finn groaned in complete frustration, and he made himself look away again. Fuck, this was hard. He cast about his mind for a safe subject. “So, tell me about your childhood. When did you first get into music?”

“I don’t actually remember exactly, but I could play guitar, keyboard, and drums by the time I was twelve.”

“You play drums, too?” That was a sexy image—Ajax sweating and moving that sinewy body about as he played.

Ajax grinned. “I’ll play for you sometime. Here I’ve just been using the computer for that part, but when I record these songs, I plan to have a band.”

“Not your band? Not even just as musicians?”

“No. They’re good, but that just wouldn’t work.” He brushed his hands over his thighs. “My parents said I made drums out of different things in the house, so they got me my first set at nine. I, uh, also play a few wind instruments. Learned in high school.”

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