Page 62 of D'Vaire or Nothing
“Aww, he remembered you wanted to read a book,” Jena commented, leaning her head on Brexton’s shoulder. “That’s so cute.”
“We were talking to him, like, two minutes ago. It’s not that surprising that he remembered,” Kieran remarked, but he was smiling.
“Be nice,” Scheredin chided his other half. “I think it’s awesomesauce.”
“I’m probably too excited and nervous to read though,” Heathcliff responded. The truth was, he wasn’t sure how he was going to relax knowing that in a few hours he’d be on the phone with Brinley. As far as Heathcliff was concerned, time couldn’t move fast enough.
Chapter 2
The second his shift was done, Brinley Brimstone—a name that still pissed him off because his parents could’ve chosen better, but he’d grown so used to its ridiculousness that he’d embraced it—rushed to a shop with candles and bath stuff. As soon as he was inside, he asked about freesia. Splurging wasn’t something Brimley ever did, but he bought every option they had with the sweet fruity scent. Teleporting to his apartment, he opened a candle and summoned a bit of fire from his soul to light it.
With a grin, he yanked his phone out of his pocket to call the man who’d inspired the shopping trip.
“Brinley?”
“Heath?”
“How was your shift?”
“Better now that it’s done so I can talk to you. How’s your book?”
“No clue, I’m too excited to focus on the words. Want to meet me somewhere?”
“Anywhere.”
“Okay, this entire resort is full of my family. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to get you alone for anything forward, but would you be willing to come to my room?”
There was no hesitation or reluctance in Brinley at Heathcliff’s suggestion. He was ready to get to know Heathcliff and was happy to do it in a quiet space where they could talk without interruptions. “Give me a picture and I’ll teleport there. Make sure there’s something in the room that is unique though, because it’s a hotel and I don’t want to shock the shit out of your relatives by showing up somewhere I’m not invited.”
Heathcliff laughed. “Okay, see you soon?”
“In a minute.”
Brinley tore off the button-down uniform shirt he wore for his job and pulled on a clean T-shirt. Like most of his clothing, it was ancient, but it remained in good shape. His phone beeped, and he grinned at the nightstand with Heathcliff’s book resting on it. Next to it was the shifter’s suitcase, which was the same deep dark purple as the gorgeous man’s skin. Brinley closed his eyes and shimmered to the spot.
“Thanks for coming,” Heathcliff said.
It was on the tip of his tongue to comment that he hadn’t even kissed the man yet, let alone come, but Brinley opted to behave himself.
At least for now.
“Thanks for the invitation. So, a phoenix shifter, huh?”
“Technically I’m a hybrid,” Heathcliff explained. The light hit his black hair—which nearly hung in his silver eyes—and Brinley was stunned by the blue-and-purple iridescence in the dark strands. “My people are a mixture of Tarinthi elf and phoenix. But I was raised as a shifter and only learned about elven traditions after I joined my brother, Kieran, at D’Vaire.”
“Wait, elf. Do we need to have a matebond ceremony in, like, five minutes?”
“No. That’s unnecessary. I believe in Fate, but we don’t have to rush.”
“Okay,” Brinley replied, still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that Fate had brought his other half into his life. Although he was ready to make a relationship work, he didn’t want to rush into anything that would bind his soul for eternity yet. “Oh.”
“Oh, what?”
“Sexuality.”
“I’ve had it for…” Heathcliff glanced at his watch. He’d lost his suit and was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. “…almost four hours. I’ve jerked off twice.”
“Sorry I missed that.”
