Sam smiled, “Was I not nice in my past life?”
Tally’s deep blue eyes met his with a profoundly fond look. “You were a warrior, a prince of your people. Your… what is the word for it? Ego was enormous.”
“I sound great,” said Sam sarcastically.
“You were!” beamed Tally, clearly oblivious to the sarcasm. His eyes took on a dreamy look, and he did appear to be recalling happy memories. It was a little unnerving. “We spoke different languages and our people were not friendly. There was mistrust, and it was a difficult start. The first time you took me, it really hurt. But it got so much better!”
“I sound like a bastard!”
“You were wonderful. You forbade anyone to hurt me, built me my own hut to practice my spells and potions.” Tally’s eyes practically had stars in them.
Sam stared back helplessly. Tally’s story was getting even more bizarre, and this past life version of himself did not sound like a good person. Sam was baffled why the young man would invent such a character as his soul mate.
“And this body has had many cocks! Our first time will be great!” exclaimed Tally proudly.
Sam sputtered helplessly, feeling himself turn bright red. What a thing to say! And heavens forbid, what on earth was he supposed to say to that? Tally clearly had his heart set on sleeping with him, to the extent of bluntly assuming it was going to happen.
Turning him down whilst he was feeling so ill seemed cruel. But encouraging him was surely a terrible idea.
Nevermind the snaking coils of desire that stirred deep within him at the thought of having Tally. He was turning into a dirty old pervert. It was horrifying.
Tally turned his attention to the toilet bowl and being sick. Sam felt guilty for being relieved that he had escaped having to answer.
He climbed to his feet to get a glass of water for Tally and to give him some privacy. When he came back Tally had finished being sick and he took the water, but only had a tiny sip before placing the glass on the bathroom floor next to him.
Sam pondered Tally’s attraction to him for a moment. He knew he had lucked out on the genetics lottery and was good looking. He was tall, muscled. Strong jawed. His shoulder length dark blond hair was thick and people were drawn to his deep brown eyes. People often wanted his body. They rarely wanted him.
“What if I was old, ugly or a woman now?” asked Sam, unable to stop himself.
Tally flashed him a mischievous grin and Sam braced himself for some sort of teasing comment about being at least two of those things.
But Tally just said, “It wouldn’t matter. I will always love you regardless of what body you are in.”
The words and the sincerity and intensity in which Tally spoke them caused Sam’s heart to flutter. He told himself he wasn’t a robot, of course romantic sentiments would affect him. It didn’t really mean anything, other than he was a soppy softy.
“Though, if you were a woman, I’d have to buy you some equipment so you could peg me. I’m not missing out on that.”
Sam barked out a laugh. “I guess you’ve saved some money then.”
Tally’s blue eyes lit up, and Sam cursed himself. That had been terribly inappropriate banter. He shouldn’t give Tally the wrong idea. It was cruel to lead him on.
Tally was gorgeous, sweet, and funny. He looked at Sam with an adoration that was extremely endearing and immensely flattering. Tally seemed to be able to truly see him, not the hunky bartender. But Tally was incredibly vulnerable and not thinking straight at all.
Sam might not be able to stop his dirty thoughts, but he wasn’t evil enough to do anything about them. He would never touch Tally like that. It couldn’t happen. The young man would get better and one day understand that it was for his own good. Hopefully, there would be no hard feelings.
In the meantime, Sam needed to keep his hands to himself. Uneasiness spiked within him. He was getting the distinct impression that it was going to become increasingly challenging.
It was late at night when Tally stopped needing the bathroom. Sam had sat with him most of the evening. Popping out to make more tea or give Tally privacy when he requested. Throughout the long hours, Sam had kept expecting Tally to give in. He had braced himself for Tally pleading to him that it was too hard, he couldn’t do it, he needed drugs. Just one more time. Would Sam go get him some and he would never do it again.
Sam had been around enough addicts to know what to expect, but the words never came. Tally never faltered. He was so obviously suffering that it broke Sam’s heart, and the strength he was showing was incredible. Sam was impressed, he knew addiction was not merely a matter of willpower, it was so much more complex than that and there was a physical need to it as well.
He was astonished at how well Tally was doing and it made him all the more determined to help the young man get his life back on track.
When eventually Tally said he didn’t feel like he was going to be physically sick anymore, Sam carried him to bed and climbed in next to him.
Tally shivered with cold at first, so Sam wrapped his body around the smaller man and held him close. Letting his own body heat seep into Tally.
They dozed like that for a while and then Tally became hot, So Sam rolled away and pulled the duvet with him. Then a little while later, Tally was cold again, so Sam snuggled back up and tucked the duvet over him. He watched with deep satisfaction as Tally finally fell into a proper, peaceful sleep.
