Page 70 of Vampire's Cupcake
"You didn't have a say?"
Romeo looked at him a little too long."You don't want to be with Thano?"
"I like Thano, but I hardly know him.I can't move in."
Romeo bit his lip."If you don't want to be with him, you need to tell him now.They don't act like we do.Since you're here, I assume he's already picked you."
Eli's heart sped up, and he didn't know if it was from joy or apprehension."Picked?"
"You're his mate.I don't know how vampires mate, but I'm Ciar's one and only.Took some time to get it through my head."He chuckled."But damn, once you do."He looked into Eli's eyes."That fine man wants me, and only me, for the rest of his life.It's a heady feeling.They're not human, they don't act like humans do."Then something steely crept into his gaze."So don't lead him on.If you don't want to be with Thano, cut him loose now before it's too late."
What the..."How do you mean?"
"Again, I'm not sure how vampires work, but for panthers, there is only one.They mate for life.Thano has lived for a long time, and I don't think he's ever moved someone into his home.No one's ever mentioned anyone, and crows like to gossip."
Eli stared at him.He wanted Thano, but they barely knew each other.He'd always been the one everyone feared in town, the face of the others.A handsome face, but death personified.And now Eli was in his home, kissing him, holding him, undressing him.Heat surged through him.Damn.
"But what about Last Hope?"
"What about it?"
"There are humans there.We have to help them."
A small crease formed between Romeo's brows."Like they help us, you mean?"
Eli gaped at him."There are good people there."
Nodding, Romeo glanced at Humbert who restlessly was shifting his weight and looking between them and the chicken coop.
"Maybe there is a way to help them from here.A better way."
"How?"How would Eli help them if he wasn't there?"Without me, they'll starve."
Romeo shrugged, a smile tugging at his lips."So set up a market stall off the paved road.The ones brave enough to get there most likely don't have much to fear from the others."
"Are you insane?"
"Maybe."He grinned."Let's let these birds out now before someone explodes from impatience."
Eli glanced at Humbert again and nodded.
* * * *
Thano remained in the shadows as he watched Eli and Romeo.Didn't Eli want to be with him?He wasn't sure what the emotion welling up inside was.Embarrassment?He'd wanted to bring Eli home, to keep him safe and warm and fed, but if Eli didn't want to be here...
He walked toward the house and reached for the handle.Humbert looked up from the crate with chickens, which had Eli and Romeo looking over too.They'd only see a floating book since he still had the shadows around him.Thano stepped inside.He placed the gardening book on the kitchen table and went upstairs to get dressed.
"Thano?"Eli's voice chased him up the stairs.He ignored it.
"Thano!"
Feet sounded on the steps, but he slid the mirror wardrobe door to the side and reached for a clean shirt.He stuck his hands through the sleeves and got started on the buttons.Eli was leaning against the door jamb.Thano could see him in the reflection but didn't meet his gaze.He did up the buttons and reached for a dark purple tie.As he slid it around his neck, Eli sighed.
"How much did you hear?"
"I can take you back.I wanted to keep you safe, wanted to make you happy, but if Last Hope is where you want to be...I'm sure Tuur or Conal or Alice can drive you back."Thano adjusted the knot on the tie and reached for a black suit jacket.
Eli stepped into the room."Would I see you again if I went back?"
