“Not at all. With you I crossed a line, but with my lovers, I only use it after they’ve consented to sex. They don’t know what I’m doing, but it heightens the pleasure for both of us.”
“Fine. But don’t do that shit to me again.” He bowed his head, and I took that as agreement… But with a grain of salt. “Have you turned anyone?” The writer in me wanted to know as much as he would tell me.
“No. I wouldn’t want to inflict this on anyone.” I was a little surprised he’d think about what being a vampire might do to other people. He must have read my expression because he chuckled softly and said, “I may have a monster inside me, but that doesn’t make me one.”
I reached out to place my hand on his arm. “I don’t think you’re a monster at all.”
He stiffened at my touch, and I saw him struggle not to pull his arm away. “No? I saw the way you looked at my wolf. The way you looked at me when I killed Roland.”
He wasn’t wrong. Horrible thoughts had run through my head when I saw what he’d done to Roland’s body. I’d done the same to countless deer and rabbits throughout my life. But, to him, because of some drunken fling with a vampire, humans are the same as deer. I couldn’t judge him for doing what was instinctual to him. It wasn’t like he ate an innocent human. It had been Roland, and why would I give a shit what happened to that guy?
“I’m sorry, Philip. It was shocking, but that’s no excuse. I don’t think you’re a monster. I apologize for making you think that.”
He grinned and for once it wasn’t creepy or lewd. “I appreciate that.” He moved his arm so he could link his fingers with mine. He gave my hand a squeeze before pulling away. “So, I’m not a monster, but I’m a perv?”
“Yes, that you are. For sure.”
“That I can accept.” He smiled at my laugh. “I’m happy he found you. It’s been a long time.”
“Thank you.”
He tilted his head to study me. “You aren’t happy about it.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’m getting there. I’m young, but I’m still settled in my ways. It’s going to take some time to get used to having someone else in my life.”
He grunted. “I can understand that.”
“And finding him when I’m only twenty-four means a long life with only one man. I know the bond makes it so I’ll only want him and vice versa, but what if that wears off?”
“It won’t wear off, it never does. However, there are no rules for how your relationship works. Nothing says you guys can’t invite someone to share your bed from time to time. Shifters can be possessive and territorial, but we still like to have fun.”
A threesome… The idea was intriguing, but the bond was too new and the thought of someone else touching Liam pissed me off instead of making me horny. It was something to keep in mind for the future though.
Philip rose from his chair. “He’s coming, so I’ll leave you two alone.”
I wanted to tell him to stay but something in his demeanor had changed making me feel he wanted to be alone. I turned to see Liam exit the house as Philip entered it. How he knew Liam was coming was beyond me. Even with our bond, I hadn’t felt him.
Though in fairness, I had been trying to tune out the bond because it felt weird. Like there was a string connecting us that unraveled as we separated. That was going to take some getting used to.
The look on Liam’s face told me what I needed to know. Doug was dead. The treatment hadn’t worked.
“I’m sorry,” I said when he was closer.
“You knew him.” He cupped my face in his hand. “Even after finding out he was a dick, you must feel something.”
“I already mourned for the man I thought he was. For me, Doug died the minute Stella told me about her childhood.” I turned my head to press a kiss to his palm. “I’m just sorry the treatment failed. I’m sure a lot of work went into it.”
“Yes, but that’s science. We don’t give up. We learn and move forward.”
That was a good way to look at things, but it still had to burn when something you put time, effort, and money behind doesn’t work. I patted the seat next to me telling him to sit.
“I saw you talking with Philip. What did he have to say?”
“A lot actually.” I told him everything we’d discussed. He was silent for a long while. “What’s wrong?” I asked when I saw his somber expression.
“I never thought to ask him.”
“You were there. You were too focused on keeping him alive, sane. I think that makes up for it.”
A loud boom stopped his reply. We bolted up and ran into the house toward where we heard the noise. We stumbled over something, and I gasped when I saw what we’d tripped over.
“Philip!”