“Don’t you want to…”
Marcus just smiled and gave him a little push with a pat on the ass. “Go. Trust me.”
Ethan threw a skeptical look over his shoulder but went into the bathroom as instructed. He would have preferred to shower with Marcus, but he knew that Marcus needed to get more blood in his system. He couldn’t possibly have replaced all that he’d lost already. Marcus might also not be comfortable with Ethan seeing him drink blood. The idea curdled Ethan’s stomach a little. While he wanted to know everything about Marcus, maybe it was best if they took things one slow step at a time.
There was no stopping the happy sigh that slipped from his throat when he stepped into Marcus’s bathroom. He’d forgotten how amazing it was. Instead of harsh overhead lighting, the lights were soft and warm like a sunset. The walls were a buttery yellow while everything else was white marble and gold fixtures. His eyes stuck on the giant garden tub and he wished he could stretch out in it with Marcus. He started to tuck that idea away for a later date, but he suddenly remembered that Marcus was moving very soon. They likely wouldn’t have the chance to use the tub.
And Marcus was moving.…What would that mean for them?
Ethan hurried over to the massive shower and turned on the hot water as fresh panic started to set in. He stripped off the rest of his clothes and stepped into the glass-enclosed stall. The hot water pounded down on him from the showerhead, helping to beat back some of the fear that was eating at him. He closed his eyes and tried to think logically when the whole night seemed to defy logic.
Marcus didn’t say that he reciprocated his feelings. He might have said that he needed him, but he could have just been talking about Ethan’s blood. That was it. They had some fun, but then Marcus would move, and Ethan would stay behind. That was for the best, right?
Marcus’s world was filled with danger and death. Ethan wasn’t the fighting, killing, chaos type. He liked computers and books and listening to Tori Amos.
But he loved Marcus. He could deal with danger if it meant keeping Marcus safe.
He didn’t want one night. He wanted all Marcus’s nights.
Even if Marcus was a vampire and would live forever. Ethan wanted as many as he could get. One wasn’t enough.
So, he’d just have to convince Marcus to keep him around longer.
Grabbing the shampoo bottle from the shelf, Ethan popped the cap and smelled it, nearly moaning at the familiar fragrance. It smelled woodsy and spicy just like Marcus. He quickly scrubbed his hair and then moved on to a thorough washing of his body, loving that he was wrapping himself in Marcus’s scent.
When he finally stepped out of the shower, he was more relaxed and clinging to the notion that he could hold Marcus’s interest for a least a little while longer. He grabbed a thick towel and looked up to find Marcus leaning against the counter. His arms were folded over his bare chest and his feet were crossed at the ankles. The long cuts across his chest and neck were much more healed than they should have been. They were largely red and angry, but with no real threat of reopening. His color was much better now. If he wasn’t still covered in blood, Ethan would never have believed he was just in a vicious battle.
“You look much better. Not at death’s door any longer,” Ethan murmured.
“And you look beautiful,” Marcus softly said.
He pushed off the sink and took the last couple of steps separating them. He pulled the forgotten towel from Ethan’s fingers and started drying off his shoulders, down his arms, and across his chest. Marcus dropped to his knees and took great care in drying off Ethan’s dick and balls before sliding down one leg and then the other. Ethan reached back and grabbed the shower door to steady himself. No one had even shown such care in touching him before.
When he was done, Marcus looked up at him from where he kneeled, his hands clenched tightly in the towel. There was such stark need and desire in his eyes, Ethan was fucking drowning.
“You’re so beautiful,” Marcus said, his voice trembling. “So perfect. I’m afraid I’m in a dream and I’m going to wake up at any second if I keep touching you.”
“Not a dream. I don’t ever want you to stop touching me.” Ethan bent down and kissed Marcus, slowly at first but steadily building until Marcus parted his lips, letting Ethan thrust his tongue inside. He moaned and Ethan swallowed it down.
He broke off the kiss and smiled. “Minty fresh,” he teased.
“I had to. I didn’t think you’d appreciate the taste of blood.”