“I’d lay good odds you have.You just didn’t recognize them as such.”
Ross considered that for a second.“Could be.”
This one had nerves of steel, apparently.Glenn smiled at the thought.Oh yes, he truly did like the look of this one.He offered a slight bow, now willing to introduce himself and perhaps put them on a more friendly footing.“I am Glenn.May I have your name?”
“Call me Ross.Everyone does.”He smiled, but there was a guardedness to the expression, his posture ever so slightly defensive.
Glenn smiled charmingly, his manner more of old-world etiquette.He’d hoped for a last name, but…ah well.It might be best to take this in stages.Glenn had a very good first impression, but he didn’t want to leap to conclusions or come on too strongly.So he took the gambit and accepted it, not offering a challenge in return.“A pleasure, Ross.I think we’ll see each other again.”
Ross said with a professional smile of his own, “Have a good night.”
Glenn left, returning to the pump to fill his car with gas.As he did, he dared a glance or three inside through the wide-paned windows.Ross was going about cleaning up as if he’d not had a vampire and werewolf in his store a bare minute earlier.Such unflappable calm.
He couldn’t help but think how nice it would have been, over the past month especially, to have someone on hand like Ross.Someone who could mediate and handle things calmly.It had been so long since Glenn had experienced a calm member in his clan, he’d almost entirely forgotten what it was like.This afternoon, for instance, when things had gone to shit without any warning?Functions handled situations like that all the time, freeing Glenn to do his work and not have to worry about someone getting into trouble.And having one level-headed person to talk through things was a blessing in and of itself.
And having someone as handsome as Ross on hand to enjoy, well…it was certainly a perk.Not that Glenn would push that agenda overmuch.He needed a Function more than he needed a lover.Ross was lovely, certainly, but it was his deadpan common sense Glenn truly admired.
He’d need to play this out a bit more, it seemed.Ross was not one to easily rise to the bait.As Glenn slid back into the driver’s seat, he mused on the possibility.
The next time they crossed paths, what should his gambit be?
Astór 4
Glenn opened the passenger-side door of the little Civic and stared down at the slumbering form for a moment.
“He went to sleep in seconds,” Dunham said, his tone apologetic.“I dinna ken he was so sleep deprived.”
Glenn’s tone was cool as he responded.“We, as a clan, will talk about this.”
It was so rare to see Ross unguarded like this.Usually the man had a sardonic look on his face and a deadpan line to deliver.Seeing him so deeply asleep revealed just how young he was, and Glenn felt a fleeting pang.His exhaustion was written in the dark, bruised circles under his eyes and in the lines of tension he carried even in his sleep.He hadn’t even stirred when the car door opened.They’d abused his good nature and driven him to this point of exhaustion.The whole clan had.
Anger sparked through Glenn, setting off a tic near his mouth, but he didn’t let it affect his actions.He leaned in and carefully drew Ross out, cradling him in close to his chest.Ross made a noise, sounding like an inquiry.
“Shh,” Glenn whispered against his warm skin, not wanting to wake him when Ross so desperately needed the sleep.He just had to move him, as there was no way for Ross to sleep well inside the little car.“I have you.You can sleep for as long as you like, alright?”
Even half-asleep as he was, Ross heard him and sighed agreement.An arm came up, draping a hand over Glenn’s shoulder as he snuggled his face in closer to Glenn’s neck.The trust in that gesture stopped him cold for a moment.His heart skipped a beat, breath hitching to have Ross so warm and cuddled into his arms like this.As if it were the most natural thing in the world.As if Glenn could hold him like this any time he wished.
He’d sensed Ross was attracted to him.The way those apple green eyes lingered gave him away.Glenn hadn’t made a move for the simple reason he didn’t know what held Ross back.Ross was not the type of man who hesitated.If he saw something he wanted, he did what was necessary to achieve his goal.The only reason Glenn could think of for his hesitation was that he didn’t trust Glenn enough to openly play his hand.So, instead, he’d focused on gaining the man’s trust first.
But this moment showed Glenn was wrong.Ross trusted him.Whatever it was that held Ross back, trust wasn’t the issue.
And if that was the case, then Glenn shouldn’t hesitate any longer, either.
He carted his precious cargo into the townhouse, Dunham opening the door for him.As he walked in, the cat darted in after him.The orange tabby was strangely taken with Ross, and even though Ross complained and fussed, a food bowl and water were always available for the kitten.And that was just so typical of the man Glenn was still learning about.Ross might fuss, but he took care of everyone around him.He was a beautiful soul in that way.
The stairs were easily navigated, and then he stepped for the first time into Ross’s bedroom.As expected of the man, it was neatly kept.What did intrigue him was the colors and fabrics Ross had chosen.The man was sensual—it showed in the jewel tones of his comforter, the pillows, and the sapphire blue velvet chair near the window.It was a very inviting space.
And if Glenn played his cards right, he might some day be invited in.
Dunham pulled back the covers and Glenn carefully deposited Ross onto the cool sheets.As he did so, the cat hopped up onto the bed, intrigued no doubt by the idea of having someone on hand for an afternoon nap.
“Glenn,” Ross slurred, his mouth barely moving, eyes firmly shut.“’m tired.Need g’night kiss.”
He felt absolutely charmed by this demand.Glenn was all too happy to oblige, as he’d dreamed often of doing something just like this.Having this sleepy permission granted to him was a dream come true.
Was this the true desire Ross harbored, kept in check by his conscious mind?Apparently, when sleep-deprived, his controls loosened enough that what he truly wanted slipped out.Even if he didn’t remember this later, Glenn wanted to indulge them both now.He leaned in and grazed a soft kiss against his warm amber skin, crooning as he did so, “Sleep.Sleep, and dream only of delightful things.I’ll handle everything today.”
Ross smiled in response, a happy hum that might have been agreement, and then he dropped truly into dreamland.The kitten tucked itself in against his throat, purring at him, both of them an adorable picture.
