Ji-Su’s smiled faded a little. “It’s fine.”
“A smile like that and it’s merely fine?”
“I like Raul. I really do. And he treats me extremely well. I just wish...”
“You wish what?”
Ji-Su surreptitiously looked around to see what Raul was doing. He was engaged in conversation with Everett and didn’t seem to be paying the two humans any attention. Still, he lowered his voice to answer. “I wish that there could be more between us but he only sees me as his responsibility.”
“How do you know that’s how he sees you?”
“He told me. Plus, he doesn’t release his pleasure venom when he bites me, he only takes from the wrist, and he feeds at the kitchen table like he’s having a tuna on white.” The truth of their blood patronage relationship spilled out so easily that Ji-Su realized he’d been desperate to talk about it with someone who understood.
Solan winced. “Yikes.”
“Yeah. And I know it can be different. There were two occasions when he fed on me and it felt amazing.”
“Was it sort of a shivery feeling all over your body and before you knew it you were completely turned on?” Solan asked.
“Yes!” Ji-Su was glad to have what he’d experienced confirmed by someone in real life and not just on internet forums. “You feel the same when Everett bites you sometimes?”
“I feel it every single time. I’d be confused and pissed off if I didn’t and immediately ask him who the hell else he’s been sucking.”
“Oh.” Ji-Su couldn’t help but be a little envious of Solan’s relationship with his blood patron. “Is that why your bite mark looks that way?”
Solan raised a hand to brush his fingertips over the pearly bite mark.
“This?” A small smile curled his lips. “This is my bond bite.”
“What’s a bond bite?”
“It’s when a vampire and human establish a permanent relationship. My life is bonded to Everett’s and I won’t age or die as long as he regularly feeds from me. I was his blood pet and a complete spoiled brat about not wanting to fulfill my obligation to him. But things changed.Ichanged. I grew to love him so much that I jumped at the chance to be with him forever.”
Solan glanced at Everett, unabashed softness taking over his expression when he looked at the vampire. Everett must have sensed Solan’s gaze, because he looked over at Solan with so much love on his face it felt too private for Ji-Su to witness.
“That’s wonderful,” Ji-Su said. Solan was truly lucky to have such a loving relationship.
Solan turned back to Ji-Su. “Thanks. But we’re talking about you. Your attraction to Raul hasn’t changed, has it?”
Ji-Su shook his head. “Not even a little bit.”
“Then he’s withholding his pleasure venom.” Solan’s brow creased in a frown. “I wonder why.”
“I don’t think he’s attracted to me. I guess that’s why he’s withholding it.”
“Guessing is never good. You need to ask him outright what’s going on.”
It was Ji-Su’s turn to wince. “I don’t have the nerve to do that. I don’t even know if this is a date. Besides, I don’t want him to think I’m some blood bunny chasing the horny high from a vampire’s pleasure venom.”
“Well, you won’t know if you don’t ask.”
That was true. Unfortunately, he wasn’t very good at awkward conversations. “I’ll try to bring it up. But really, it’s a moot point now since Raul said that he won’t bite me anymore. And it’s not like I’m owed a more personal relationship with him. I made some assumptions that turned out to be wrong. Because of that, I actually considered ending our contract early. I only stayed to honor my word.”
Solan winced again, this time accompanied by a shake of his head.
“Oof. You two really are struggling.” Then he smiled, his indigo eyes glinting with mischief. “I can see that I’m going to have to help you out.”
RAUL KNEW JI-SU WOULDbe fine with Solan but he kept an eye on him anyway while he talked with Everett. He noted when the two humans separated after Solan pointed the way to the restroom. Ji-Su left and Solan rejoined them. Raul looked down at the handsome redhead in surprise when Solan came to his side instead of Everett’s and leaned against him. “Hello, Solan.”