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“I wish you would rest a while longer—”

“I’m awake, Freddie. If I rest anymore, I’ll tear down the curtains in boredom.”

“Fine.” Freddie interlaced his fingers with Anthony’s. He loved how much bigger his hand was than his mate’s. “Master Hughes wishes me to become the coven master in Manhattan.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But I’ll not be parted from you. If you don’t wish to live there, we won’t go. We can stay here in London. We could go anywhere.”

“I would love to be in New York.” Anthony paused, and Freddie sensed a twinge of sadness. “Although I can’t imagine the Manhattan Lyric would want me back after I disappeared on opening night.”

Freddie leaned back in his chair, unable to stop the shit-eating grin that appeared on his face. “I took care of that for you.”

“What does that mean?” Anthony squinted, suspicious.

“I made it clear that you were abducted because of Mr. Fitzpatrick’s negligence in keeping me from backstage. He was desperate to avoid a scandal, and it wasn’t hard to get him to schedule you next season. Give him a call. He’ll be very accommodating. He’ll let you name the opera and the role.”

“How…why would he agree to all that?”

“Strange thing.” Freddie chuckled, running his fingers through Anthony’s hair. “Seems that merry old General Manager Henry Fitzpatrick knows about vampires. He had dealings with the Azarian coven. Some less-than-legal real estate transactions. Some of my men found evidence at the New York covenhouse. Once I threatened to go to the authorities, he was extremely excited to help.”

“You blackmailed the general manager of the most important opera house in the world?” Anthony’s brows furrowed.

Freddie nodded, hoping he hadn’t overstepped. “Happy new birthday?”

“That’s incredible. You’re incredible.”

“So…”

“So I guess we’re moving to New York.” Anthony reached over and ran his hand down Freddie’s chest, grazing his right nipple. At his touch, electricity sparked on Freddie’s skin. “And we’re going to run a coven?”

“Seems that way.”

Anthony thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. “I’m going to throw fabulous parties.”

“I can’t wait.” Freddie attempted to keep the sarcasm out of his response, although he wasn’t sure he succeeded.

With a growl, Anthony flipped Freddie out of his chair and onto the bed, straddling him. Freddie laughed out loud. Anthony was discovering his vampire strength and speed. This was going to be fun.

Anthony pinned Freddie’s hands behind his head, bending down to whisper in his ear.

“I need you. We can do slow and tender later.”

Freddie struggled against Anthony’s grasp. He was applying actual force now. He ground his ass against Freddie’s now-hard cock and moaned, soft and low.

“I’m going to ride you, and then you are going to bite me.”

“Whatever you need, my love.”

Anthony let go of Freddie’s hands and sliced off his own underwear in one motion. His cock sprang free, bouncing on Freddie’s stomach, dribbling pre-cum onto his hard, pale abs. Anthony unbuttoned Freddie’s dress pants. Freddie shuddered as Anthony’s hand found his dick, squeezing along its length and pulling it out through the zipper.

“There’s lube—”

Anthony slammed down onto him, and Freddie was enveloped in Anthony’s tight warmth. Anthony let out a ragged groan.

“I need to feel it,” he said with a gleam in his eye. “I’ll heal fast, right?”

“In seconds, love.”