“No, we won’t. What we do have to deal with is this.” Quirion gestured between them while sitting down with Milo. His man was letting him take the lead, as usual.
“And how do you propose we deal with this?” Milo lifted his eyebrows. He was trying his best to stay logical but the slight quiver in his voice told Quirion how important it was not to fuck this up.
“Like we’ve dealt with everything since we met. Together.”
The smile Quirion got in response made him wish he could keep Milo here in his library forever. “Now, let’s see what we’re dealing with.” He lifted the index finger of his left hand. His right hand was still holding Milo’s, his thumb rubbing gentle circles on the back. No way was he stopping with that. “I’m an old demon with an annoying family who loves books and science above all else. My charming little brothers claim I’m set in my ways and grumpy, though I prefer to describe myself as settled and not someone who suffers fools lightly, of which there are simply too many in this world.”
Milo giggled. His free hand rested on Quirion’s thigh, stroking up and down. “Well, compared to you I’m a very young man with one annoying mother. I love scientific books and researching biology, chemistry and nanotechnology. Sammy says I’m an old soul, though people have told me that simply means I’m boring.I’d say about myself that I’m focused and driven, ready to take on the scientific world.”
Quirion nodded. “I concur with that description. It might be prudent to add that I’m also not overly interested in the act of sex. Don’t get me wrong, I feel a very strong connection toward you and the idea of touching you, kissing you, stirs warm feelings inside of me. Though if you asked me to rank what I’d like to do with you, the first places would be cuddling on the sofa, studying with you in the same room, and simply feeding you. I do want physical contact, and lots of it, though sex itself is not on the forefront of my mind. It doesn’t mean I’m not completely enamored with you, which I am,” he hastened to add.
Milo nodded. “I get it, Qui. I do love cuddling with you as well. I’m not going to lie, sex with you is definitely on my list, but to me, it’s surely not the most important thing. Just being with you makes me happy.”
“You mean you would be okay with a schedule?” Quirion knew this wasn’t how most people had a sexual relationship. He was sure his brothers would claim that a schedule sucked the romance and spontaneity right out of it. For him though, the security of having it planned made the difference between an encounter he could enjoy and one that stressed him out because he hadn’t had the time to plan for it.
“A schedule would be great. I love being able to prepare myself.”
As it seemed, great minds did think alike. “Perfect. How about we schedule a sexual encounter for this evening, around, say, nine?”
“Sounds great.” Milo hesitated. It was clear there was something on his mind and Quirion thought he knew what it was. “What about—”
“The bite?”
“Yes. The bite.”
Quirion hadn’t thought so far ahead, the kiss having been spontaneous, after all. And didn’t this prove nicely how important schedules and careful planning were? He took a deep breath.
“We won’t be as pathetic as Dre and Sammy nor as dumb as Jon and Barion. We’re scientists, we follow facts and are not led by mushy, unproductive feelings.”
“Geez, Qui, you know exactly how to make a guy all hot and bothered.” Milo winked.
“Of course I do. I also know sarcasm, though I’d wish to point out that you’re probably the only guy whodoesget hot and bothered bymyscientific talk.”
“As opposed to everybody else, who gets either intimidated or angry, depending on how well you hit your mark with them. You’re right though. That’s my love language.”
“See? Though if you do wish to postpone the bite or our first sexual encounter, we can do that.”
Milo looked down at their still joined hands. “You know what? You’re right. We’re scientists and if there’s a hypothesis we can test, we do it. Just tell me, do I smell good to you?”
Quirion smiled. Different from shifters and many other paranormals, demons didn’t know who their mates were and couldn’t discern them by something as easy as scent or aura or sound. No, demons had to bite. But scent could be a strong indicator, as it had been with Sammy and Dre, and his father Alerion and his two mates, though that had been easy because they were werewolves and, for them, the scent was a dead giveaway.
“Why do you think I accepted you in the first place?”
“Because Dre bulldozed you and used Sammy as his battering ram?”
“Well, that too, but it would have never lasted if your scent weren’t so damn pleasing to me.”
“I’m glad to hear that. How do I smell?”
“What do you think?” Quirion was curious.
“Old books and inkstones.” The answer came promptly and was absolutely accurate.
“You know me so well.”
“That I do. I’d call myself an expert in everything Quirion.” Milo bit his lower lip for a moment. “What do we do when it turns out I am your mate? And what do we do if not?”
“Whether you are my mate or not, I don’t see why we couldn’t or shouldn’t be together. If you’re not, it just means our time is shorter, which, admittedly, isn’t a pleasant thought.”
