“No worries, he’s not my type.” Alex took a chance and leaned into Roman, who instantly pulled him closer.
“What is your type?” Roman asked seductively.
“Someone who doesn’t lie to me or kick the shit out of me.” He stated.
"That's a pretty low bar, Alex."
"You'd be surprised how many men don't meet the requirement."
"You're safe with me, Alex."
“I know.”
CHAPTER FOUR
“He’ll be off work for a week or so, but he’ll recover.”
“Any scars?”
“No, no scars.”
"Too bad, scars add character, and Jackson could certainly use a little.” Finnian walked over to where his assistant, Karl, stood and took the folder from him. They operated off the books whenever possible, especially when investigating another coven. The fewer points of discovery, the better their chances at staying hidden.
He flipped through the pages, taking in the information quickly and methodically. "Roman Sidorov left the Blood Rose with Alex Stewart.” Karl nodded yes but did not comment. “Jackson was responsible for the attack on Alex, some stupid fit of jealousy. I’m dealing with children fucking children.” He slapped the file down onto his desk and ran his hand through his hair.
"My relationship with Jackson Freed is well known, so I must retaliate, but then I want that pain in my ass gone. I don't care how you do it, but I want him out of this town.” Finnianstood staring into nothing, his face hard and cold. "Easy fucks are never worth the trouble they bring.”
“There appears to be a connection of sorts between Sidorov and Alex Stewart.” That caught Finnian’s attention. “I’m familiar with Roman; he's one of the Master's guards, and there isn't a gentle bone in his body. For him to be giving this human so much attention is out of character."
“That’s very interesting.” He took a seat behind his desk and leaned back. “Find out their relationship.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Roman was most likely his attacker if he discovered that Jackson had hurt Alex." He smiled ruefully. "Either one will do, Roman or Alex, one will have to pay for the disrespect," Finnian said dismissively. "The sooner it is dealt with, the better."
****
Roman was impressed with Alex's attitude and resilience. As a human, he was well settled and clear-minded. He knew himself and trusted himself, which was important. The awareness was edging up on him, and Roman could see his interest and understanding growing with each passing hour.
It was late in the afternoon, and they stood together on the balcony overlooking the park. Roman had made several moves to gain closeness, but nothing seemed to move Alex to completely let his guard down, not yet anyway. The look in his eyes when they crawled over Roman was hungry and eager, but he held himself back. Roman needed to breach that reserve and get this bond growing.
“I should go home.” He said as they finished a cocktail and desert that Roman had delivered to the room. The day hadbeen lovely, and he did not want it to end without putting his mark on Alex.
“You should stay.”
“I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“That will never happen.” Roman moved closer and put his arm back around Alex’s shoulders, pulling him up close and kissing the side of his neck.
"I find you very attractive, Roman, and I'm not afraid to tell you." Roman looked down into his beautiful face and marveled that such a kind and intelligent man was chosen for him.
"I find you very attractive as well," Roman replied, feeling the distance between them contract and their lives coming together even in just those few honest words. He watched his beloved assessing and taking measure and loving everything he was seeing. His heart was reaching for this new attachment, eager and impatient.
Alex’s brown hair hung in curls around his face and made him look almost like a cherub, but the square jaw and Greek nose brought out his manliness and cut a handsome vision. His eyes were the prize, large brown eyes that looked deep and saw everything. Roman would never tire of looking into their depths.
He watched Alex’s eyes search his face over and over. He was looking, deciding, analyzing, and then he spoke, not in anger or upset, just curiosity. "I have a lot of things rushing through my mind right now." He paused briefly and took a thoughtful breath, slow and soft. "What do you mean by vampire, and why do you call him master? It's more than just a title; it means something important."
The awareness was opening his mind and giving him new and strange information. It would be slow in the beginning, but soon would become an onslaught of secrets and a new reality that would shock him. This was the first crack in his old understanding of the world.
