Page 51 of The Maestro's Mates
The tone was beautiful, smooth and creamy, the polar opposite of the aria Justin had overheard Sebastian singing in the rehearsal room a few days ago. That song had been a blast of power. This was sweet, enticing, and gentle.
Pavel’s eyes fluttered open as Sebastian ended his tune.
“You were born to sing Schubert,” Pavel said, his hand slipping down to Sebastian’s hip, his arm resting on Sebastian’s stomach.
“Oh, I know,” Sebastian replied, his lips pursed in amusement. “I’m wonderful.”
Pavel shook his head in mock frustration, a smile on his lips. “I knew Franz, you know.”
Sebastian went suddenly still, the arm wrapped around Justin freezing in place.
“Franz?” Sebastian asked, his voice tinged with a faint hysteria. “You mean, Franz Schubert? You knew Schubert?”
“We lived in Vienna at the same time.”
Without warning, Sebastian smacked Pavel on the ass cheek, the crack of it resounding through the bedroom.
“Careful…” Pavel said, the smile in his eyes betraying his warning. “You might have walked away from last night with a blowjob, but brats get their obnoxiousness taken out on their ass.”
Sebastian laughed, the sound of it cutting through the sleepy lull they’d been hanging out in. “I can’t wait.”
“You should sing more Germanlieder,” Pavel said, suddenly serious. “It fitsyour voice well.”
“I don’t know,” Sebastian said, suddenly serious. “If I’m singing rep as heavy as Scarpia, I’m not sure?—”
“But that’s exactly why!” Pavel sat up, and Justin chuckled at the sight of his mates, who were so passionate about music, they were arguing about it naked in the morning sun. “It will keep your voice agile and supple. It’s good for you.”
“I understand the theory,” Sebastian replied, “but if I’m going to build an opera career, I won’t have time to devote to art song.”
Justin was suddenly struck by a wave of self-doubt. These two men weren’t just classical music nerds; they didn’t just happen to know this stuff. This vocation dominated their lives.
A vision of the future flashed in his mind, and it wasn’t pretty. His mates with their international careers, veritable superstars of the music world. And him a…receptionist? An admin with no skills and no real passion? The only thing special about Justin was being a vampire, and he wasn’t even good at that. He was weak. He didn’t have any of the mental powers. He was a burden on the coven.
And on his mates.
Justin was pulled out of his thoughts by Pavel, who cleared his throat. The gargoyle didn’t say anything, instead staring into Justin’s soul.
“Justin? What’s wrong?” Sebastian asked, his grip on Justin tightening.
“I, uh…” Justin fought to take a deep breath, a tightness spreading in his chest.
How could he have been so stupid? This was some mistake, some colossal joke being played on him by the universe or fate or whatever it was. Or maybe it was apunishment, some vindictive power dangling mates in front of him when it was painfully clear he didn’t deserve them. That he couldn’t keep them.
“Tell us,” Pavel said, his low, masculine voice prompting the words to rush out of Justin’s mouth before he could stop them.
“This is stupid. I’m stupid. The two of you are perfect for each other. I’m such a bad mate for the two of you. You have an incredible future ahead of you, full of music and passion. I’ll hold you back.”
Justin shifted, trying to scoot away from Sebastian so he could get up and find his clothes, but the witch didn’t let him escape, holding tight to the vampire’s waist.
“Oh no, you don’t. I had an inkling this was coming.”
Justin wriggled, but Sebastian had him caught tight. Which was insane. Justin was a vampire! Sebastian shouldn’t be able to hold him. Not that he was tryingthathard to get away, but the witch was surprisingly strong.
“Let me go!”
But of course, Sebastian didn’t let him go. Instead, with a ridiculous cry like a dog pouncing on a stuffed toy, he flipped over and straddled Justin. From above, Sebastian’s long black hair gave the witch the look of a beautiful, fallen angel. It took Justin’s breath away.
Leaning down, Sebastian brought his lips to Justin’s, the vampire’s hands instinctively going to the man’s torso, feeling the long, ropy muscles stretch against his palms. Sebastian was so fucking sexy, and it fully short-circuited Justin’s brain.
