Forever Broken

“I am sorry you feel that way. Whatever you may think, my intention was only to heal you, not to take advantage of you.” Laurent’s voice was cool and when Paul looked up he saw that the worry in the vampire’s pale green eyes had been replaced with distance.

Paul’s gaze flicked guiltily from the cold eyes to the smear of blood on the vamp’s neck where he’d bitten him. “Look…” He sighed and ran a hand over his hair. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being a fucking cabron. It’s just, I don’t want you thinking we can have any kind of…of relationship here. I mean, Dios, I’m a were and you’re a fucking vamp. And besides, I’m not gay. ”

“So you keep saying.” Laurent got off the bed and began to get dressed. “In which case I suppose you should leave and go back to your girlfriend.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” Paul burst out. “I don’t have anybody.”

“And don’t want anyone either, apparently. You are happy to go through life alone?” Laurent raised one elegantly arched eyebrow.

“I do what I have to do.” Paul hunched his shoulders. “Where are my clothes?”

“Here.” Laurent threw them to him and stood there with his hands on his hips while Paul started to dress.

Paul frowned. “You mind not watching me, man? You’re kind of freaking me out.”

“A moment ago we were as close as two men can be without making love and now you do not even wish me to look at you?” Laurent threw up his hands. “Mon Dieu. You cannot be my Coeur de Sang. This must be some kind of mistake.”

“What is this ‘core day sang’ thing you keep talking about?” Paul demanded, struggling into his jeans. “Is that some kind of a vamp thing? Because—”

“It needn’t concern you.” Laurent looked down, apparently studying the expensive Oriental rug beneath his feet. “Nothing about me needs to concern you now.” Paul didn’t know what to say. He was swamped with guilt one moment and anger the next. How dare the fucking vamp act like some kind of victim just because Paul wasn’t falling all over himself to pledge his eternal undying love? Then again, he did save your life, whispered a little voice in his head and the guilt took over again. “Look.” He got off the bed, a little unsteadily, and shuffled toward the vampire. “I’m sorry, I just—”

He put out a hand, meaning to touch the other man’s shoulder, but Laurent gripped it in his own instead. Immediately a wave of desire swamped Paul, threatening to drown him in its heated depths.

“Dios!” He tried to pull away but Laurent wouldn’t let him. Paul realized with a fresh burst of panic that the vamp was every bit as strong as he was.

“Stop.” Laurent spoke softly but his voice carried an intensity that forced Paul to listen. “Be still,” the vamp said, looking into his eyes. “Let yourself feel.”

“Feel what? I don’t feel anything.” But it was a lie and he knew it. The surge of electricity between them was the same as the first time they’d touched. Stronger, actually, Paul realized. It was like doing what they had done had actually intensified his desire for the vampire. I want him more than ever, he thought dismally. Madre de Dios, what the fuck am I going to do?

“Why do you resist?” Laurent looked at him intently. “Is it because our people are enemies or because we are both men?”

“I don’t know…both.” Paul was beginning to feel desperate. “I have to go.”

Laurent tugged at his hand. For a moment Paul resisted and then he allowed the vampire to pull him closer. “Please…” The word was torn from him. He never begged in the pack, never lowered himself to pleading with anyone, not even Angel. But he couldn’t seem to help himself.

“Give me a kiss. A single kiss and I’ll let you go.” Laurent looked into his eyes.

“Kiss me and tell me you don’t want me as I want you.”

“Want you? I don’t even fucking know you,” Paul protested but he couldn’t help looking at the vampire’s full red lips. Couldn’t help remembering the first kiss they’d shared—the hot, hungry intensity of it. The surge of pure lust when his mouth met Laurent’s.

“Your heart knows mine as my heart knows yours.” The vamp wasn’t budging.

“Kiss me, Paul. Let me taste your lips once more if you are so determined to go.”

“I…” He didn’t want to do it but at the same time it was all he wanted to do. Fuck, I am so messed up. Feeling more confused than he’d ever been in his life, Paul pulled the other man toward him. Shouldn’t be doing this. It’s fucking wrong. So why did it feel so right when their lips met and Laurent’s parted for his seeking tongue? “Dios,” he moaned into the other man’s mouth. Laurent’s reply was to pull him closer and deepen the kiss.