Page 60 of Arcane Entanglement

Viggo froze. He stared uncomprehendingly at Evander, unable to grasp his meaning at first. Confusion gave way to understanding as he watched the mage bite his own lip. He kissed him softly.

“Don’t worry. I know I’m big, but I’ll be gentle and make sure it doesn’t hurt.” He caressed Evander’s opening again and was rewarded by a twitch and a low whimper.

The mage shuddered. “It’s not your size I’m concerned about.” He removed Viggo’s hand where he was still exploring him and put it firmly on top of the vanity, his expression hardening. “We can’t have sex until this case is solved. You’re a witness and potential collaborator, Viggo. And I’m the investigating officer. Sleeping with one another is a conflict of interest.”

Viggo’s eyes rounded. “What?”

His shocked mumble did not move Evander one iota. The mage pushed him away, jumped down from the vanity unit, and rearranged his robe.

He looked remarkably composed for someone who was moaning and panting in Viggo’s arms mere minutes ago.

Frustration churned the Brute’s belly.

“You are jesting, right?!”

He was about to run his fingers through his hair when he realised they were still coated with the evidence of his and Evander’s pleasure. Viggo scowled and washed them in the sink.

The mage had the decency to blush. He cleared his throat while Viggo dried his hands jerkily on a towel.

“What brought you here tonight? You said you wanted to talk.”

Viggo pinned him with a sharp stare. “Are you changing the subject?”

“Yes.” Evander sighed at Viggo’s irritated expression. “Look, I don’t like this either, but it’s the right thing to do. I don’t want our relationship to start on a bad note.”

All of Viggo’s protests came to a screeching, stomach-flopping halt.

“You—you want a relationship with me?!” he said numbly.

Evander stared. “Of course I do.” Wariness crept into his face. “Don’t tell me you’re only after sex.” His shoulders slumped. “I am not into that kind of?—”

Viggo closed the distance to the mage and cut him off with his mouth.

“Of course I want a relationship with you,” he whispered hotly against Evander’s lips.

The mage swallowed, his hands trembling slightly where he clung to Viggo’s chest. “You do?” He squinted a little, as if he didn’t quite believe him.

Viggo kicked himself for being a fool. “Yes.” He shuddered and pressed their foreheads together. “You’ve cast a spell on me, mage. I will gladly follow you into the fires of Hell itself if it means I can be with you.”

Evander’s eyes widened at his heartfelt confession. He took hold of Viggo’s face and kissed him sweetly before wrapping his arms around his neck. They stayed like that for a moment, hearts thundering against one another.

“Let’s go into my study,” Evander murmured. “It will be more comfortable to talk there.”

Viggo reluctantly let him go. “What about your manservant?”

Evander smiled. “Jasper won’t come up to my chambers again tonight.”

He grasped Viggo’s hand and guided him through his dressing room and into his bedroom. It was a spacious and elegant space. A large, four-poster mahogany bed draped with heavy velvet curtains embroidered with a delicate pattern of silver and gold threads dominated it.

Evander stopped to get rid of his bathrobe.

A shiver danced through Viggo at the sight of his enticing naked form as he wrapped himself in a dark, silk dressing gown. The Brute directed a hopeful look at the bed.

“How about we just test the mattress?”

Evander chuckled at his fervent words and led him through another door and into a cozy room where a fire crackled. Viggo took the glass of whiskey the mage poured him before studying the enchanted map above the mantlepiece.

“Looks like you take your work home with you.”