“Make me a vampire. Make me like you.”
“Are…are you sure?”
Ethan leaned forward and quickly kissed Marcus again. “Yes. I’m sure.”
Marcus grabbed Ethan’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m being very serious, Ethan. I know Bel is working on what he thinks of as a cure, but there’s no guarantee that he could ever turn you back to a human. This is forever. No more walking in the sun. Dependent on blood to survive. You’re fully a part of the vampire world, with all the violent chaos that comes with it.”
“This isn’t a snap decision for me. I’ve been thinking about it since we start—well, since the first time we kissed.” Ethan looked down at Marcus’s hand, feeling the heat steal across his cheeks. “It started as a sort of ‘what if?’ thought rattling around in my brain. What if we dated? What if something happened to me? Would I want you to change me? Would I want to take a chance on being with you forever even if it meant no more sunlight and a slight diet alteration? The answer always came back yes.”
“But the violence and the Ministry?”
Ethan snorted. “Have you taken a good look at human politics recently? We’re not doing much better.”
Marcus smirked at him. “You do have a point.”
“Of course. But I want to be a part of your family.”
“You already are. Even if you stay human, you will always be a Varik.”
There was no denying the flare of joy and pride that bloomed in Ethan’s chest at Marcus’s words. His lover would never understand how much that meant to him. He treasured the Variks and he was honored to be counted among them. But with that name came a responsibility he didn’t take lightly. He needed to protect his lover and brothers, and Ethan was sure the only way he could hold up his end of the deal was to become a vampire as well. To have all the same strengths and weaknesses. To celebrate and suffer with them.
“I want this, Marcus. If it means you worry just a tiny bit less about me. If it means I get to spend forever with you, then yes, I fucking want this.”
Marcus stared at him for a moment before a smile spread across his lips, lighting his eyes and chasing away the worry that had clouded his handsome face for so long. “Really?”
Ethan’s heart soared to hear the hope in that single word. “Yes, really. I want you forever. I want us forever.”
“W-when? When would you want…?”
“Tonight, if possible.” Ethan wrapped his arms around Marcus’s neck again and leaned forward. “But first…” He nipped at Marcus’s bottom lip. “I want to have sex one last time as a human. I’d like that to be one of my last memories as a human before moving on to the next big stage of my life.”
Marcus’s grin became a little wicked. “I think that is a brilliant idea. The other will take a little planning, but let’s definitely close out your human life like that.”
Instead of kissing him like Ethan expected, Marcus slammed the lid down on the piano, covering the keys, and stood. Ethan stood as well, figuring they were moving to the bedroom, but Marcus grabbed him by the waist and lifted him until his butt landed on the smooth surface of the piano. Marcus parted Ethan’s legs and stepped between them, his hands burning through the thin material of his sleep pants. Those wonderful hands slid up the inside of his thighs, massaging muscles while drawing so close to his dick.
Marcus leaned down and licked slowly up his neck to his earlobe. Ethan could only moan, fighting the urge to come in his pants. This damn man got him so hot and bothered every time they touched.
“Will you bite me?” Ethan panted.
“Yes, but just a little nibble. We need you to be strong for later,” Marcus murmured against his neck. His hot breath danced across the damp skin, sending goose bumps down his arms.
“Will you still bite me after I’m a vampire?”
“If you wish.”
Ethan moaned again, losing himself to Marcus’s wandering touch. His hands were sliding up his stomach, pushing his T-shirt out of the way. “Yes, please,” he choked out. “Never want that to stop.”
“Anything you want, my heart.”
Ethan grabbed Marcus’s head and pulled him in for a rough kiss, his tongue plunging into his mouth. He wanted to taste him. His strength and power were intoxicating. Ethan remembered the way Marcus sucked all the light into him at the Black Wolf clan house and wiped out their attackers. And now he held that powerful creature between his legs. Owned him.
Tightening his fists in Marcus’s thick black hair, he pulled back to look into his desire-glazed eyes. “Fuck me hard. Fuck me so hard I’m reborn a vampire still feeling you.”