Peter frowned.Compulsion?He fears that?
“Let me show you to a room,” Puck said, holding out his hand for Peter to take.His nails were painted a dark, shimmery purple.
Instead of keeping his cool, as they said these days, Peter blurted, “I won’t compel you.”
Puck’s cheeks flushed pink.“I’m not—I… A-anything particular you’d like in the room?”
Peter found no joy in letting others squirm unnecessarily, so he took Puck’s hand.
“No.Just a place where you can rest comfortably after.”
Puck, his bottom lip held tightly between his teeth, looked up at Peter, meeting his eyes.It clearly took a lot for him to hold Peter’s gaze.
“Of course.Please follow me upstairs.”
Peter nodded, a smile ghosting over his face.Puck walked Peter through the house and up the stairs, where another security person greeted them with a nod.This security guard was a werewolf, and Peter knew her too, although they’d never exchanged more than a nod and the most perfunctory of greetings.
Puck led Peter through a hallway done up with light fixtures that brought out the soft sheen of the expensive wallpaper.Puck entered a code into the number lock, held the door to allow Peter inside, then closed it behind him.
Peter hadn’t been in this particular room before.It was lush, decorated in dark hues of grayish green that contrasted nicely with Puck’s eyes.
The king-sized bed was neatly made, the curtains drawn closed in front of the milky glass windows, and fresh flowers stood in a vase next to canned and bottled non-alcoholic refreshments.The light scent of the blooms made Peter’s heart flutter.Peter’s heart never fluttered when he was about to drink.Never.
On a table by the bed, a selection of lubes and condoms sat out in a basket like colorful candied treats, and across from the bed, a large screen was mounted to the wall—something to help with fantasy and arousal if needed.
Puck wordlessly let go of Peter’s hand and started unbuttoning his shirt with his back to Peter.Peter was just about to tell Puck that there was no need for that given he was not some sloppy, hundred-year-old vampire who had no damn clue what dry cleaning cost, but before he had the chance, Puck turned, and in doing so, let his shirt slide off his shoulders to pool around his feet.
“Like what you see?”Puck asked.It was like he was saying a line in a language he didn’t understand.
Peterdidlike what he saw.After all, he wasn’t blind, and while Photoshop was all well and good, Peter had a functioning libido, much as it annoyed him at times.Puck, skinny twink that he was, would be a treat to ravish between the sheets.
But that isn’t what I said I wanted.It’s not what I came here for and the reason he took me upstairs.Besides, he was scared.Maybe not of me, but of what I am.
Peter watched Puck as he reached to undo the buttons on his pants with shaking fingers.
“Stop.”Peter tried hard not to bite out the single word.“As I said, I am not here for that.Put your shirt back on, Puck.”
Puck looked confused.“But you—your kind—” He swallowed hard.“You always—I mean, you fuck, then you drink.Sometimes the other way around.”
Well, that was a lot to unpack right there.A few decades ago, Peter had considered going into psychiatry, which would’ve made him qualified now to do that unpacking, except he hadn’t wanted the bother of dealing with people and their feelings.So no unpacking.Of any kind.Peter, for the first time since passing the bar, regretted his most recent career choice.
“I cannot speak for whoever gave you that impression, but if I had wanted to fuck you, Puck, I would’ve told you beforehand.You know as well as anyone working here that such things are arranged beforehand, not during.I’m hungry though, and I’d much rather you leave your clothes on while I drink.”
Peter couldn’t quite read Puck’s expression.He did not look eager though.Contrite.Boyish.Very kissable.Damn you, Celeste.You know me too well.I should get you to sign an NDA for me.
Puck bent over to collect his shirt from the floor then pulled it back over his shoulders.All the while, his eyes never left Peter.Peter wasn’t sure whether it was out of fear, a contrary reaction to Peter’s rejection, or something else entirely.It irks me.It irks me that I cannot read him, that I do not know his mind.Ah.It irks me even more to see him hide his gorgeous physique.
Peter made a mental note to complain to Celeste about her ruthless scheming.He was happy to remain standing just where he was without moving a muscle while Puck buttoned his shirt back up.He missed a button though, and Peter found himself fantasizing about how he might slide his fingers past the hem to feel Puck’s skin, but that would be beyond the pale.
“How do you want to do this then?”Puck asked, pulling Peter from his fantasy.“I’ve only ever…I only had this done to me when…”
The aborted gesture that accompanied the implied scenario made Peter nod in understanding.It also made him furious, but that emotion was not one to be let out and allowed to roam.Not here, not now.
Peter gestured.“Sit on the bed.”
Puck hesitated, then walked over and sat on the dark emerald coverlet, one fist clenched, the other hand running up and down his thigh.
Peter closed the distance between them and sat next to Puck.
