The side of Raul’s mouth quirked up, and his eyes glowed bronze with humor. “Lumberjack giant?”
Ji-Su bit his cheek to hold back the smile that was trying to tug at his lips. “It’s what I think of whenever I see you in your plaid shirts.”
“Is that a good thing or do I need to go on an emergency shopping spree for new clothes?”
Ji-Su slowly ran his eyes over Raul. He looked amazing in his plaid shirt. The fabric fit perfectly over his broad shoulders, wide chest, and thick arms. As usual, his black hair was pushed back from his forehead. It was a little long, the ends curling at his collar. And his brown eyes were still softly glowing. Ji-Su could stare into them for hours. Everything about Raul exuded warmth and safety. Big, protective,gentlelumberjack giant, he amended to himself. He wouldn’t change a single thing about Raul or the way he dressed. “It’s a good thing,” he said finally. “No shopping spree required.”
“That’s nice to know.”
They both went quiet. Ji-Su was caught in Raul’s incandescent gaze, light flutters of desire swooping behind his navel. He wanted to be in those arms again. Wanted Raul to kiss him like he had before. Wanted Raul to drink from him as they lay together, alone in the quiet of a peaceful pre-dawn.
“Raul...” Ji-Su took a step forward. His foot hit a discarded Styrofoam block, sending it skittering across the hardwood floor. The scratchy sound snapped him out of the trance he’d fallen into. He blushed again and yanked his gaze away from the vampire’s. A glance at the laptop screen showed his viewers were going wild in the comments over him and Raul.
They’re so sweet together!
I’ve never seen Ji-Su blush this much.
Flirting right in front of our salad.
I need someone who looks at me the way Raul looks at Ji-Su! Bonus if he’s a hot, rich vampire.
Embarrassed, Ji-Su cleared his throat. How could he have forgotten that they had an audience?
“This part is finished,” he said to his viewers. “Now I have to build the computer. I’m going to end the stream since I need to focus on that. See everyone soon!” He turned the camera to Raul who gave a nod goodbye. Ji-Su held up a finger heart to his viewers then ended the stream.
Now that it was time to assemble the computer, Raul stepped back and let Ji-Su lead. He liked that Raul knew when to take charge and when to assist.
An hour and a half later, they were completely finished. Beneath the glass desktop, the computer shone bright with yellow and white light. His monitors were set up, the initial welcome showing on the screens. A servant had come by earlier to clear out the empty boxes.
Raul looked around the room, nodding in approval.
“This looks good.”
“It looks great!” Ji-Su said happily. “Thank you so much for helping me. We got it done a lot faster than I would have on my own. And I had fun.”
“You’re welcome,” Raul said.
They were finished, but he didn’t want his time with Raul to be over. It would be nice to curl up on a couch in the great room and talk. He didn’t want to take up anymore of Raul’s time however. So, when Raul said goodnight, Ji-Su didn’t protest. He said goodnight too and watched as Raul left the room.
Ji-Su sighed and sank down in the yellow chair once he was alone. He loved that the big vampire was kind and respectful to him, but he missed the intimate warmth Raul had shown him the night he’d gone to him during the storm. And he especially missed Raul’s wonderful kisses. Sighing again, Ji-Su wondered if he’d ever get to experience any of that again or if it was strictlygoing to be a blood patron and blood pet business relationship from here on out.
LEAVING JI-SU’S GAMINGroom, Raul went down to the kitchen. He grabbed a beer before going to sit out on the main deck. He didn’t bother to turn on the deck lights. His night vision was strong and he enjoyed sitting in the dark.
Building the desk with Ji-Su had been fun. Spending time with Ji-Su always felt natural and comfortable. But during the project he’d had to work to keep his desire for Ji-Su hidden. He’d failed more than once, getting caught up staring at Ji-Su’s throat when he let his head slightly fall back when he laughed that lovely laugh. Or staring at his lush, pink lips when he smiled. Or simply watching him because he couldn’t get enough of his sharp, yet delicate handsomeness.
When he’d first walked in to speak with his blood pet, he’d been tense. The plan to drink from Ji-Su, keeping it business-like only until their contract ended sounded good on paper. He just wasn’t sure he’d be able to maintain that professional distance when the first time he’d bitten Ji-Su, he’d been so filled with desire all he could think about was getting his cock inside him while he still had the sweet tang of Ji-Su’s blood in his mouth. But he would try because he wanted Ji-Su to feel like he had purpose. And because he desperately wanted to drink from Ji-Su again. Exactly like Solan had said. It was a win-win situation.
Chapter 14
Wednesday. Three o’clock a.m.
Nervous butterflies fluttered in Ji-Su’s stomach. It was time for his first scheduled appointment to let Raul drink from him. All night, he’d been so excited for Raul’s bite that he couldn’t concentrate on the game he was playing. He’d died several times attempting what should have been easy tasks before he’d given up and tossed his controller aside. At two-thirty, he’d taken a hot shower, both to relax himself and to make sure he was clean and fresh when Raul bit him. Now, after dressing in a T-shirt, shorts, and a hoodie, he went down to the kitchen.
Raul was already there waiting for him, sitting at the banquette in the corner. He was in another plaid shirt—this one cream and a dark brown that nearly matched his eyes—and dark jeans. Raul must have changed after work since he normally wore dress shirts and pants when he was going into the casinos. There was no one else in the large, brightly lit room.
“Hi,” Ji-Su shyly said when he walked in.
“Hello.” Raul stood up politely. He stepped to the side, indicating Ji-Su should slide into the booth. He sat and Raul sat next to him.