Page 24 of The Maestro's Mates
“Why do they say that?” Justin asked. He reached out toward Sebastian, but stopped himself, looking sheepish. It took everything for Sebastian not to wrap his arms around the vampire.
“Occupational hazard,” Sebastian said. “We spend all our time negotiating with spirits. That’s what a spell is, after all. Offerings and favors and deals. We get used to operating that way, looking out for our best interests and exacting high concessions. Unfortunately, most witches treat any conversation as an opportunity for negotiation or to make a deal.”
Pavel’s eyes narrowed as he listened to Sebastian’s words. “Nothing you’ve said has made me want to trust you more.”
“Well, Iamyour mate. I have a vested interest in keeping you alive and well.”
“But not happy?” Justin asked. His lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile.
“Happy?” Sebastian hummed with energy as he spoke. This was going better than expected, if they were already getting to the deeper issues. Although he guessed being trapped in an elevator togetherdidtend to make people chatty.
“I have no control over anyone’s happiness,” Sebastian continued. “That is in your hands, although I’ll help however I can. But I wouldn’t count on much peace and quiet. Those are in short supply when you’re mated to a chaos witch.”
Justin and Pavel both stared at him.
“What? Do I have a boogie?” Sebastian laughed and did a little twirl, his long hair bouncing as he did. “Chaosfollows me, boys. It’s what I get my power from. So strap in. Being with me will never be boring.”
“I’m not going to ‘be’ with you,” Pavel said, his jaw clenched tight. “I am not mating with anyone.”
Sebastian had known Pavel would be the harder sell. That was okay. He could wear the gargoyle down. Sebastian turned to Justin, stepping in closer so the curly-headed blonde twink had to crane his neck to look up at him.
“What about you?” Sebastian asked softly. “Will you refuse your mates?”
Justin’s eyes flitted over to Pavel and then back to Sebastian, and Sebastian could sense his trepidation.
“I don’t want to, but…I don’t have a good track record.”
“That’s okay, sweetheart.” Sebastian leaned in, close enough he could smell the mint on Justin’s breath. “I don’t have any track record at all. We’re a good match. Don’t you think?”
Sebastian’s lips were an inch or two away from Justin’s face now. The vampire closed his eyes and let out a soft whimper.
“I’ll kiss you if you want, Justin.”
“Please.” With one word, Justin surrendered. Sebastian brought his lips in. He tried to keep the kiss gentle, but a retaining wall had broken in Justin. The shorter vampire wrapped his arms around Sebastian’s neck, standing on his tiptoes and pulling the witch down.
Justin’s lips were sweet, so sweet. The taste of mint invaded Sebastian’s senses as Justin devoured his mouth. The pressure of Justin’s slender arm around his neck, tugging with a vampire strength at odds with his slight frame, enticed and invigorated Sebastian.
He couldn’t help but moan into the kiss.
After a moment, Justin pulled back, a look of embarrassment on his face. Justin’s eyes went to Pavel, and Sebastian realized the man in his arms was worried if their maestro would be angry.
But the look on Pavel’s face wasn’t anger. Hunger would be more accurate. His fists were balled, fighting the attraction, but as Sebastian moved toward him, his fingers loosened as he gave in.
“Is it your turn now, handsome?” Sebastian ran his hand down Pavel’s muscular arm.
“Yes.” Pavel’s voice was low and desperate as he forced the word through his tight lips.
Sebastian took in the man’s face, square and tan, his short salt-and-pepper beard giving him an air that could tilt either distinguished or dirty at any moment. Pavel was still naked, and his thick thigh muscles made Sebastian ache to wrap his body around the gargoyle. There was something about Pavel’s hips being uncovered, only his dick obscured, that was so fucking hot. Sebastian couldn’t wait to play more with these two men.
Sebastian leaned in, and as their lips were about to touch, there was a loud noise, the sound of metal twisting and shifting. He reached out with both hands and braced himself against Pavel’s shoulders as the elevator car swayed.
Better go!The chaos spirit’s voice was like a child’s laugh in his mind.
“Shit. We need to?—”
With a loud clank, the elevator jolted and started to free-fall.
There was no time. Sebastian couldn’t cast a spell that quickly. Justin’s eyes went wide with fear, and the expressioncaused a pang in Sebastian’s stomach. Neither of them could stop the inevitable.
