I’d say I regret it, but I don’t.
Knowing that he’s all marked up under there? It makes me want to do it again and again, until his being healing abilities give up and leave a scar so everyone can see that he’s mine.
Still flushed with my second helping of blood, I’m practically skipping down the stairs.
“I think we can manage that.” I throw a wink over my shoulder and jump down the last two stairs. Willan’s rolling a lot slower than I am right now—which is entirely my fault—so I do a little dance while I wait for him, rolling my hips and shaking my ass in the narrow corridor. The t-shirt I’m in tonight is cropped extra short. It's more of a shrug than a functional top, so my abs are on full display with each exaggerated body roll.
“You’re ridiculous.” Willan rolls his eyes, but the smile on his lips gives him away. On the second to last step the smile gives way to laughter, and he launches himself at me. Even though he’s taller than me, I manage to catch him, effortlessly swinginghim into my arms and spinning us until he’s pressed against the wall.
I pin him there, leaning in so we’re pressed chest to chest, threading my legs between his so we’re as close as we can possibly be. Heat seeps through the layers between us, and despite being more than well sated, being this close has my senses lighting up again.
I don’t think I can ever truly have enough of Willan.
Our eyes locked on each other, he gently pets the nape of my neck, knotting his fingers in my curls. His breath hitches, lips—still swollen from the kisses we’ve already shared—falling open. Mesmerised, I rise, closing the distance between us.
The gentle brush of our lips is achingly tender. Willan hums in contentment, his hands leaving my hair so he can wrap his arms around my shoulders, anchoring me to him.
“We’re never going to getyoufed if we keep this up.” I mutter when Willan nudges my head to the side so he can brush more sweet kisses down my neck.
“Fuck food. I’ll feast on you.” His teeth sink playfully into my neck, making my knees buckle.
My groan feels obscenely loud, but I can’t find it in me to care. Hands still trapped between him and the wall, I squeeze his ass, pulling him tight against me. If only hecouldfeast on me.
I wouldn’t change Willan for anything in the world—and I would never dream of him giving up his life and turning—but to feel him feed from me, too? To share each other in that way? To give and receive life from one another.
Iachefor it.
But this, this is more than a satisfactory substitute—Willan’s mouth on me. Biting and licking, sucking hard enough to leave a mark that will last at least a short while. It may not be the same, but it’s still fucking incredible.
“Oh, fuck.” Willan stops his spine melting work on my neck with a loud groan. “I forgot my phone. You go say hi to Lusce. Give him a little thrill.”
With a last kiss he shoves me into the shop and races up the stairs two at a time.
“Willanator! Little bro! How’s it going?” Magic pulses through the shop with the booming announcement.
Whatever floaty, happy feelings I was just riding evaporate immediately.
Because there, on the other side of the shop, resting oh so casually against the counter, is Aleksi.
Fuck.
Despite his blunder, Aleksi recovers first, while my brain struggles to catch up.
“Oh, Nikolo.” His hazel eyes look almost familiar. Except, over the years he’s matured, making his features harsher and more menacing than I remember. They are completely devoid of warmth or affection as he takes me in over the shelves separating us. “I didn’t expect to see you there man. How’s it going?” He’s as rattled as I am, even though he’s trying to appear totally at ease about my presence.
I’m too shocked to answer—all I can do is stare.
Each brother may favour one parent, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t similarities. Aleksi and Willan both have their father’s nose, and their mothers lips. But Willan’s face is more narrow like their mothers, while Aleksi has the same imposing jawline as their father.
And despite the brothers being the same height, Aleksi is bigger, broader, and significantly more muscular. Obviously he’s spent the past few years working in the caves, mining the metal for the clan’s work.
Willan’s no slouch in the magic department, and he’s definitely got that authoritative present down pat. But betweenhis physical size and the obvious power he wields having mastered the four elements, Aleksi is an imposing man.
“Does Egbert know you’re here?” Aleksi asks when I take too long to respond, a very specific smirk I remember well, lifting the corner of his lip.
Lusce’s snort winds through the tension. “It’d be easier for Egbert to keep track of when he’s not here, to be honest.” He teases, flipping his silver hair over his shoulder.
I’m not sure if Willan told everyone about my past. Considering the frowning side eye Lusce is giving Aleksi behind his back, I’m pretty confident Lusce is in the dark about the suddenly heavy tension in the room or why Aleksi’s suddenly acting like a dickbag. From the look on his face, though, Lusce is quickly catching up—to the important bits anyway.
