Page 27 of Distinctly Daray
“It is far too early in our relationship for me to go into grand detail about every reason I wish to be around you,” Phillip stated. If Keegan wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of color on his cheeks.
Keegan grinned. “Which means Phillip has dirty thoughts about us.”
“I will not deny it, but unlike our mate, I have no practical experience, so do not build up unreasonable expectations of how my kisses and touches will feel at the start,” Phillip argued.
Victor bent his head and shuffled his feet. “I chose at a young age to save myself for my mate. Like you, I haven’t had any kisses or anything else.”
“That’s such a relief,” Keegan said. His eyes widened. “Not that I would’ve thought less of you if you’d done anything. It’s a little easier knowing none of us have any experience.”
Victor lifted his chin, and his arresting gaze landed on Keegan. “Are you sure you haven’t done anything? I’ve heard young fallen knights can be energetic about learning new things, including all their working parts.”
“This is going to sound nerdy, I guess, but I’ve been studying or pushing myself in the gym since my resurrection. I want to do well, and that seemed more important to me than getting someone else to touch me.”
“Does that mean you have touched yourself?” Phillip asked.
The interest in his dark eyes made Keegan grow warm. “I have. Have you jerked off since we met?”
“Yes, finally. I was surrounded by people at the start and had a persistent fear of my erection showing. All I had was my imagination. I will feel bad for eternity that my initial fantasies did not include you, Victor.”
Victor’s musical laughter filled the guest room. “No guilt is necessary. You didn’t know I existed.”
“If you are willing to forgive me, then I can excuse my behavior,” Phillip conceded.
With a roll of his eyes, Victor shook his head. “Not that you need my permission to forgive yourself, but you have it anyway. Will you guys shadow walk again? I don’t think we discussed that before Alaric and Chand left us alone.”
“Keegan, do you think it would help?” Phillip asked.
“I don’t know,” Keegan replied with a shrug he hoped was convincingly nonchalant. The last thing he wanted to do was return to the other side of the veil. “I think if there was a relative or beast waiting around for me, we would’ve found them.”
“I agree. You concentrated and would have led us to the right place.”
Happy that Phillip believed him, but still desperate to change the subject, Keegan wracked his brain for something to discuss. A lightbulb went on inside his head. “Victor, since we’re here at your home again, maybe you could show us your space? We could snoop through your stuff and learn more about you.”
Phillip was aghast. “We cannot snoop through Victor’s things.”
Victor chuckled. “I have no secrets. Come on downstairs, I’ll show you my room.”
The Russian Blue shifter led them out of the guest suite where they’d shadow walked and down an open staircase. There was a plethora of Darays hanging out in the living area. On the couch, a good-natured argument was developing over the video game filling the television screen, and Keegan was impressed by their comradery. Titles were ignored in the condo, and Keegan hoped to achieve that same level of nonchalance someday.
They passed a set of French doors that held a book-filled office, then Victor led them into his suite. Phillip ushered Keegan past him into a gorgeous space. Keegan loved it immediately. Although there was a kaleidoscope of pretty colors, bright pink and aqua dominated. Instead of a solid color on anything, nearly every piece of furniture was a harmonious mixture of fabrics and textures.
The walls overflowed pleasingly with pictures, artwork, and wall hangings. Along with floor-length drapes there were beads, which glimmered thanks to the sunlight streaming in. But the centerpiece of the space was an oversized bed heaped with pillows. Under Keegan’s booted feet was a light wooden floor, but there were also several overlapping area rugs in the same vibrant colors as the rest of the room.
“This is stunning,” Phillip said. It was the first time Keegan could recall him sounding awestruck. “My dragon is soothed too. What a glorious space you have created, Victor.”
“Yeah, I fucking love this,” Keegan remarked. Too curious to be shy about being in Victor’s suite, Keegan ventured toward a crisscrossing set of curtains nowhere near a window. He gasped as he walked through them. On the other side was a massive closet complete with a long desk with a lighted mirror. Cosmetics were artfully organized on the table’s surface, and Keegan could easily picture Victor sitting on the plush stool, lining his spectacular eyes.
“Keegan, where did you—” Phillip followed him in and stopped in the middle of the closet. “Oh.”
“Can you picture it?” Keegan asked Phillip excitedly as Victor followed them into the space. “This is the spot Victor sits to put on his make-up.”
“I understand now how he has grown into such an expert in enhancing his beauty with such a pretty space to serve as inspiration.”
Keegan didn’t care if he was snooping; he dropped onto the stool and lifted a velvet box’s lid. Inside was a sparkly tiara. “Victor, you didn’t mention you have a title!”
Victor laughed. “I don’t. Chand made me that decades ago. This is somewhat embarrassing, but I clean in it.”
“Damn right you do,” Keegan said, plucking the tiara out so the light from the chandelier above their heads could dazzle him as it hit the stones. “I bet you look fucking fabulous when you do.”
