Page 65 of D'Vaire or Nothing
“Heath? I’m so sorry.”
“What for?” Heathcliff asked with a scowl.
“Because you literally gained your sexuality yesterday, and we were only supposed to share a few kisses. Instead, I wake up in your hotel room naked after fantastic sex. This is a matebond, not a hook-up.”
“Do you regret having sex with me?”
There was silence on the other end, and Heathcliff wished they were together so he could at least try to guess the emotions on Brinley’s pretty face.
“Well, no.”
“Then don’t apologize for it. We were both willing participants. It’s Fate’s fault I lacked sexuality until yesterday, not yours.”
“Okay, but I don’t want you to think I’m trying to sleep my way into your good graces or something. You’re a Duke, and I’m a guy who works in a bar. I live in a shitty apartment because I’m saving up every penny I make so I can take a couple of years off work to study magic. Or something. I’m not sure. I haven’t decided what I want to do with my life. And I blew a bunch of money last night buying up every candle, bath salt, shampoo, and shit they had in a freesia scent because that’s what you smell like to me.”
Heathcliff blinked at the information Brinley had dumped, and his frown formed. “Freesia? I hate the smell of that. My mother used to put these nasty packets scented like it in the bathroom to keep it from stinking after people did their business in there. Now, I can’t smell it without thinking of shit.”
“Wow.”
“Sorry, Kieran says I’m too blunt sometimes.”
“Ah, the hot brother.”
“His mate is a dark warlock, might want to reconsider categorizing Kieran as the hot brother. Scher may flatten you with a spell.”
Brinley laughed. “I’m trying to figure out my life, but I study and play with my fire every chance I get. Not that I want to steal his man or anything because clearly Fate already gave me a hotter phoenix than his, but I’d welcome that challenge.”
“Every sorcerer I know likes to play with magic; he’d welcome it too. Thanks for calling me hot. I think you’re beautiful. I especially like the look on your face when you come.”
“I’m glad you’re not mad about last night. We had fun, but I don’t want our relationship to be based on sex.”
“Me neither, but you didn’t have to leave. We could’ve had this conversation in person.”
“Heath? If you didn’t have anything on that thick purple cock I’m already obsessed with, I would’ve hopped on it and forgotten I even knew how to talk. But I think we need to stay clothed for now.”
“Agreed. I loved the way you made me feel, but there will be plenty of time for that later, once we’ve gotten to know one another. Speaking of which, do you want to meet up with me sometime today?”
“I’d love to. But I need to squeeze in a nap because I’m working tonight. Would you mind hanging out with me after my shift? Or I’m off tomorrow and we could spend the day together. You guys aren’t checking out until Monday, right? I’ll have a couple of days without work in the way because we don’t officially open until Thursday.”
“I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to see you, so yeah, text or call me when you’re done tonight and we’ll hang out. Yes, we’re checking out on Monday. Probably early if I know Brogan. That’s the Grand Duke. He’s obsessed with security, and he won’t relax fully until we’re back at the mansion. It’s protected with thick layers of magic and is impenetrable.”
“It hasn’t hit me yet how many cool-ass sorcerers you know.”
“I’m sure they’ll love meeting you.”
“It won’t compare to meeting you, Heath.”
A lovely wave of affection swept through Heathcliff, and he grinned like an idiot. “Nothing in my life compares to meeting you either. Go take that nap. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Let me know how your book is, okay?”
It was either funny or sad that Brinley had already figured out that Heathcliff planned to spend much of his day reading, which made the shifter roll his eyes at his own predictability. “I will.”
Heathcliff said farewell to the captivating fire mage he already missed and sighed. While Heathcliff hated the wholelack of sexuality prior to meeting his other halfthing, he couldn’t fault Fate for giving him a sweet, handsome man he hoped to build a lasting relationship with. He wanted the same happiness the couples in his family shared. His phoenix screeched happily. Man and beast were united in the same goal.
∞∞∞
“So, what’s up with your family?” Heathcliff asked Brinley as they relaxed in his hotel room with a couple of beers. Brinley’s face was scrubbed free of his cosmetics, unlike the previous night. The lack of make-up gave him an innocent, ethereal air. Heathcliff decided he liked both looks equally and loved the way he and his phoenix were tantalized by the captivating mage. “You left as a teenager?”
