The illogical part of Thorn, even after three weeks of Ledger stepping into the role they’d employed him to do, couldn’t stand not having Ledger right where he could see him.
As the bond between them strengthened with each feed, it also made the feeling worse, especially when it came with his mate’s insistence that he be allowed to get on and do his job. A daily occurrence.
Thorn wanted to be understanding, he did. It was just impossible to be rational when it came to his dhampir it would seem. He wasmostlypositive he’d been a rational vampire before Ledger, but now he couldn’t say for sure.
His brothers witnessing him falling apart helped none of this when he came into work. Calvert was easier to manage because he at least kept his thoughts about the situation to himself. Dacian did not. It worsened when Dacian got left to deal with some of their more demanding clients when Thorn felt too overwhelmed and had to reaffirm his bond with his mate. This left Dacian having to do the hand holding of some clients, that he had no patience for it, resulting in a snarly brother.
One that, right now, Thorn could do without as he slammed into his office and slumped down at his desk. Reaching for his keyboard, he resisted rubbing at the ache in the middle of his chest, which was becoming increasingly worrying when it was only ten minutes since he’d walked away from Ledger. The longest he’d gone so far was an hour and that had been dreadful. He’d nearly ripped out a buyer’s throat when he’d detained Thorn, the hunger and need clawing at him.
“Trouble in paradise already?” smirked Dacian as he rested his hip on the corner of Thorn’s desk.
Thorn lifted his middle finger. “If you value your life, I’d go fuck with someone else this morning.”
“Dacian, do you have to be such a prick?” questioned Calvert in total frustration as he came into Thorn’s office. “Can’t you feel how much he’s struggling?”
“I’m not struggling with anything!” Thorn snapped at Calvert, hating the fact it was an outright lie and they both knew it.
Calvert held up both hands. “Whatever you say.”
He slumped further down in his seat and glowered at both brothers. “What do you want?”
“We have the representatives from Starling Enterprises coming in half an hour to do the wine tasting for their yearly purchase of stock for their fashion events, remember?” Calvert kept his tone even, not revealing any sign of how pissed he actually was at Thorn for being a snappy asshole. His brother was excellent at masking, only Thorn was better than Dacian at picking up the tiny cues. The creases at the sides of Calvert’s eyes had deepened and his lips had thinned a fraction.
“Shit!” he exclaimed, thinking about them having to meet Ledger. So far, he’d avoided introducing Ledger to anyone beyond the winery. Thorn wasn’t sure how he’d cope with how friendly Ledger was. It was the very reason they’d given him the job, because he came across as friendly, engaging and most importantly knowledgeable about wine. Those things fucking sucked now.
“Why the glum look?” Dacian didn’t hold back any of his amusement, having picked up exactly what was wrong with him.
“Seriously, I’m in the mood for a smack down right now—”
“And why are you in the mood for a smackdown?” asked Ledger as he strolled through the door looking the ultimate professional. He was dressed in smart, navy slacks and a pale lemon shirt that revealed just the edge of Thorn’s claim. His hair was windswept and the flush on his cheeks made him glow and enhanced how pretty his golden eyes were.
Thorn became enthralled and so damn happy to see him, he grinned widely, forgetting Ledger had asked him a question. “There’s my Sweetling.”
“Damn, look at that. He’s drooling! How are we ever gonna run a business with him acting like this?”
“To the vampire gods, why can’t you just keep it buttoned? He’s fine, so stop winding him up. The pair of you are as bad as each other.” Calvert gave Ledger a pitying look as Thorn rose and shoved by Dacian to get to him.
Ledger glanced between the three of them and dodged Thorn, his hands going on his hips. “What am I missing here?” He looked at Calvert. “Tell me.”
Thorn tried again, giving Calvert a threatening look and followed it up with a silent threat.
“You forget I can feel when you slip the wall in place and it’s getting easier to tell when you’re hiding stuff from me.” Ledger skipped out of Thorn’s reach once more.
Thorn got why because when they touched, one could never be sure if they’d end up naked and rolling around on the floor, despite having an audience. It had happened twice already, once in the house and once in Thorn’s office. Knowing all that made not a jot of difference to Thorn, he wanted reassurance and wasn’t that just the biscuit?
“I won’t ask again, tell me what’s going on and why you were threatening Dacian?” Ledger’s tone left Thorn in no doubt he was utterly serious. His little omega was no walkover.
“He was winding me up.” Did that sound childish?
The sniggers coming from Dacian and Calvert gave him the answer.
“And?” Ledger asked, giving the two brothers a stare that advised them to hush.
Thorn kept his gaze on his dhampir, because given how Dacian was laughing in his head, he was ready to go off like a rocket into space.
“I missed you,” he explained.
The light in Ledger’s eyes came with a flood of warmth through Thorn, which was swiftly followed by the potent scent of arousal.
