Apollo’s mouth popped open. “Areyouflirting with me right now? Seriously? We are in a hospital, Lachlan.”
“So? You don’t think your Doctor Apollo is working for me? Because I think I need to send some thank you flowers to yourtailor for getting your measurements so right,” Lachlan replied, looking him over.
Apollo’s ears went pink. “That’s…sexual harassment.”
“So is your ass in those pants. I’m feeling very harassed right now. Borderline attacked. And the researcher guy is absolutely flirting with you. He looks like he wants to send your tailor flowers too.”
“Will you shut up? He’s coming back,” Apollo hissed before his professional doctor mask slid into place. “What did they say in pathology, Doctor Bligh? Or can I call you Keith?”
“You can call me Keith. Of course you can. And yes, the path guys would love to meet you too,” the researcher stammered.
Apollo beamed. “How wonderful.”
“So wonderful,” Lachlan echoed, earning him a pleased smile fromKeithand a warning glare from Apollo. He would take that animosity. He loved Apollo’s fire. Anything was better than being avoided and ignored.
Lachlan followed them through the dull hospital halls and entertained himself by cataloging Apollo’s expressions and how his neck was still a little red.
He was so pretty, he didn’t seem real. It had to be a dragon thing to be that good-looking. Lachlan had never seen photos of Apollo’s mother, Lisa, but his brothers said that Apollo looked the most like her. She must have been an absolute knockout.
Apollo didn’t stop chatting to Keith the whole time, and Lachlan knew he was doing it to piss him off. Lachlan hated that it was working.
Apollo’s charming side went into overdrive as he toured the pathology labs, looking through microscopes and nodding enthusiastically at whatever the swooning pathologists were saying. Lachlan was a silent, brooding menace that stopped anyone from getting too close with a warning look.
Finally, Apollo announced that they should go back to the ward to see how the others were getting on.
“I can take you back up if you like?” Keith said with a hopeful smile.
“No need, Doctor Bligh. I know how to work an elevator, and I need to confer with Doctor Greatdrakes about some things. Top secret stuff for the Prince. Thanks for the tour,” Lachlan replied before Apollo could say anything.
“Oh, yes, of course. Well, we might bump into each other again. You’re always welcome, Apollo,” Keith said, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“Thank you. That’s very kind.” Apollo smiled and said his farewells. Lachlan had his hand on the empty elevator door, holding it open for him. It wasn’t polite to hold it up, but he didn’t care.
Apollo hesitated to get in it, but when he realized the pathologists were all watching, he straightened his shoulders and walked in. He moved to the far side and crossed his arms. Lachlan got in, gave Keith a cheery fuck you wave, and let the doors slide shut.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Apollo demanded as soon as they were alone.
Lachlan turned to face him. “Youare my problem.”
“I haven’t done anything to you! We made peace. I’m being peaceful, staying out of your way. I’m leaving you alone. All peaceful like. You’re free to return to your sleazy hookups uninterrupted,” Apollo snapped back.
Lachlan had enough. He slammed his hand on the emergency stop. “I haven’t had any hookups for over a year now. The other night? I just wanted to get a rise out of you so you would talk to me, and you just walked away.”
“It was none of my business.Youare none of my business.”
“But I want to be!” Lachlan ran his hands over his face in frustration. “You know there’s something between us. There always has been since the night we met at thePaw. I’m not going to act like there’s not anymore. I thought you would come around on your own if I gave you your space, but you’re just hiding from me now like a coward.”
Apollo’s face was thunderous.Glorious.“You are delusional. There’s nothing between us, you presumptuous ass.”
Lachlan stepped into his space and bent his head so his lips were almost against Apollo’s. “You’re a bad fucking liar,” he whispered. “You licked my neck on Midsummer, Apollo.Licked me. And then ran away like it never happened.”
“That wasn’t me. It was my dragon,” Apollo said, moving a little back from him.
“You are your dragon.”
“No. My family have actual dragons that are waking up. It licked you because your neck was just there, all submissive-like. I didn’t hang around because I didn’t want it to hurt you,” Apollo explained, staring up at him.
“And your dick hard up against me? Was that the dragon too?” Lachlan demanded because he didn’t think he would ever get a chance to get Apollo alone again.
