Page 25 of Dream Lost (The Fae Universe #12)

25

L achlan Ironwood never thought he would find tweed pants sexy, but once again, Apollo Greatdrakes was proving to be the exception to the rule.

Apollo must have been going for his most professional outfit because he usually wore jeans or something casual. Apollo always looked good, but in bespoke tailoring and polished oxfords, he looked like a sexy professor that Lachlan wanted to play doctor with. He certainly had an ache that only Apollo could cure.

Behave yourself. You’re in a hospital, for fuck’s sake , Lachlan scolded himself. He couldn’t help it. Trying to concentrate was a challenge when he had Apollo walking in front of him.

They had ditched the masks because they weren’t near patients, and watching Apollo talk science with the research doctor was a special kind of torture.

Lachlan knew it was childish to be following him about, but he wanted to maximize the time he could get around Apollo. He was elusive prey, but Lachlan was a good hunter.

Fuck Bas for putting that thought in his head. That conversation had changed everything about how Lachlan thought about the tense situation. He was a hunter, and it had kicked in some predator part of his brain. As if it wasn’t bad enough when it came to Apollo.

Lachlan had always thought of himself as being an 80/20 girls-to-boys sort of bisexual with some theys thrown into the mix. He liked sex uncomplicated and without any attachments. He had a demanding, violent job, and relationships were hard when your life was constantly in danger. It was unfair to expect anyone to deal with that on a regular basis.

It had been a fine arrangement for years, and Lachlan had never felt the need to change it. Right up until he met Apollo fucking Greatdrakes.

Lachlan had been chatting with Imogen at Monkey Paw a few weeks before Morrigan had decided to run havoc in Dublin, and the most beautiful man had walked over and hugged his cousin. It was like being struck by lightning. They had talked, and Lachlan hadn’t heard one word. He had been struck completely dumb.

He had finally stammered out a hello and his name, and Apollo had only smiled, in that sexy, sly way of his, and danced off into the crowd.

Lachlan’s sexuality had gone from a comfortable 80/20 to a full 100% Apollo in the blink of an eye. He had no fae or shifter blood in him, but when they described the feeling of finding their fated mate, Lachlan knew exactly what they were talking about.

He thought it was a dumb crush that would go away with time. He had tried to fuck blonds of both sexes to get the fixation out of his system. Then Apollo had started cockblocking his hookups, and Lachlan had retaliated by doing the same, and now Lachlan couldn’t get it up thinking about anyone else. His dick wanted Apollo and no substitute would do.

When Apollo had given him an incredible birthday present on Midsummer’s Eve, Lachlan had thought, ‘Yes. Finally. He’s coming around.’ But Apollo had bailed on him and had avoided him ever since. It was beyond frustrating, and Lachlan had been at a loss for how to proceed next.

Bas, bless his heart, had given Lachlan clarity. He wasn’t going to stop until Apollo told him with his own pretty mouth to stop pursuing him. Until then, he wasn’t going to give up. In fact, he was going to kick it up a notch because his patience was almost gone.

“And these are our genome sequencing machines,” the researcher said, leading Apollo to another section of the floor with a light brush of his hand on Apollo’s forearm.

Lachlan’s left fist clenched.

You can’t punch out a doctor , he reminded himself.

Apollo made excited sounds. “And has anything come up in the victims’ genomes that could explain how this dreaming sickness is manifesting?” he asked, eyes shining.

Damn. Lachlan couldn’t start a fight when Apollo was having this much fun.

“Nothing so far. To tell the truth, doctor, we can’t find a single thing anywhere that links them. We were happy when Prince Kian reached out because we are so used to looking for scientific reasons for things we hadn’t considered a magical malady to be the cause,” the doctor said, flashing Apollo a smile that had Lachlan’s hand clenching again.

“Can I see?” Lachlan asked. He angled his body slightly over Apollo’s to look over his shoulder at the machines. He had no idea what he was looking at with the reports of data and didn’t care. Apollo’s breath did a funny hitch, and Lachlan smiled wider. “Fascinating, don’t you think, Doctor Greatdrakes?”

Apollo elbowed him in the side. “Oops. Sorry. I didn’t realize how close you were, Assistant.”

“Apologies. I was just so curious to look through these reports with you. It’s strange that none of you thought about magic being a cause,” Lachlan said, turning toward the doctor.

“It’s beyond our understanding. It’s why people like Doctor Greatdrakes are so important. They will be the bridge between science and magic that we all need in this new reality,” the researcher said, fiddling nervously with his glasses. “It really is an honor to meet you, sir.”

Lachlan had forgotten his name—B something—and it was probably for the best. He didn’t like the way he looked at Apollo like he was some kind of project he would love to take on.

“That’s so kind of you to say. It’s rare for me to get out of my own lab and work in a hospital. I’d love to see your pathology labs as well while I’m here,” Apollo said, fixing the other man with a beaming smile. Yeah, Lachlan was definitely going to need to hit something soon.

“I’m sure I can arrange it! Just give me one moment, and I’ll call them,” the researcher said and hurried away to a phone on the wall.

Apollo pretended to look at the reports. He whispered, “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“I don’t like him flirting with you,” Lachlan stated. No point in pretending otherwise.

“He wasn’t flirting! He’s being nice,” Apollo said and shot him a glare. “You’re the one invading my space and rubbing your junk on me.”

“Trust me, golden boy, when I decide to rub my junk against you, you’re going to know about it.”

Apollo’s mouth popped open. “Are you flirting with me right now? Seriously? We are in a hospital, Lachlan.”

“So? You don’t think your Doctor Apollo is working for me? Because I think I need to send some thank you flowers to your tailor for getting your measurements so right,” Lachlan replied, looking him over.

Apollo’s ears went pink. “That’s…sexual harassment.”

“So is your ass in those pants. I’m feeling very harassed right now. Borderline attacked. And the researcher guy is absolutely flirting with you. He looks like he wants to send your tailor flowers too.”

“Will you shut up? He’s coming back,” Apollo hissed before his professional doctor mask slid into place. “What did they say in pathology, Doctor Bligh? Or can I call you Keith?”

“You can call me Keith. Of course you can. And yes, the path guys would love to meet you too,” the researcher stammered.

Apollo beamed. “How wonderful.”

“So wonderful,” Lachlan echoed, earning him a pleased smile from Keith and a warning glare from Apollo. He would take that animosity. He loved Apollo’s fire. Anything was better than being avoided and ignored.

Lachlan followed them through the dull hospital halls and entertained himself by cataloging Apollo’s expressions and how his neck was still a little red.

He was so pretty, he didn’t seem real. It had to be a dragon thing to be that good-looking. Lachlan had never seen photos of Apollo’s mother, Lisa, but his brothers said that Apollo looked the most like her. She must have been an absolute knockout.

Apollo didn’t stop chatting to Keith the whole time, and Lachlan knew he was doing it to piss him off. Lachlan hated that it was working.

Apollo’s charming side went into overdrive as he toured the pathology labs, looking through microscopes and nodding enthusiastically at whatever the swooning pathologists were saying. Lachlan was a silent, brooding menace that stopped anyone from getting too close with a warning look.

Finally, Apollo announced that they should go back to the ward to see how the others were getting on.

“I can take you back up if you like?” Keith said with a hopeful smile.

“No need, Doctor Bligh. I know how to work an elevator, and I need to confer with Doctor Greatdrakes about some things. Top secret stuff for the Prince. Thanks for the tour,” Lachlan replied before Apollo could say anything.

“Oh, yes, of course. Well, we might bump into each other again. You’re always welcome, Apollo,” Keith said, clearing his throat awkwardly.

“Thank you. That’s very kind.” Apollo smiled and said his farewells. Lachlan had his hand on the empty elevator door, holding it open for him. It wasn’t polite to hold it up, but he didn’t care.

Apollo hesitated to get in it, but when he realized the pathologists were all watching, he straightened his shoulders and walked in. He moved to the far side and crossed his arms. Lachlan got in, gave Keith a cheery fuck you wave, and let the doors slide shut.

“What the fuck is your problem?” Apollo demanded as soon as they were alone.

Lachlan turned to face him. “ You are my problem.”

“I haven’t done anything to you! We made peace. I’m being peaceful, staying out of your way. I’m leaving you alone. All peaceful like. You’re free to return to your sleazy hookups uninterrupted,” Apollo snapped back.

Lachlan had enough. He slammed his hand on the emergency stop. “I haven’t had any hookups for over a year now. The other night? I just wanted to get a rise out of you so you would talk to me, and you just walked away.”

“It was none of my business. You are none of my business.”

“But I want to be!” Lachlan ran his hands over his face in frustration. “You know there’s something between us. There always has been since the night we met at the Paw . I’m not going to act like there’s not anymore. I thought you would come around on your own if I gave you your space, but you’re just hiding from me now like a coward.”

Apollo’s face was thunderous. Glorious. “You are delusional. There’s nothing between us, you presumptuous ass.”

Lachlan stepped into his space and bent his head so his lips were almost against Apollo’s. “You’re a bad fucking liar,” he whispered. “You licked my neck on Midsummer, Apollo. Licked me . And then ran away like it never happened.”

“That wasn’t me. It was my dragon,” Apollo said, moving a little back from him.

“You are your dragon.”

“No. My family have actual dragons that are waking up. It licked you because your neck was just there, all submissive-like. I didn’t hang around because I didn’t want it to hurt you,” Apollo explained, staring up at him.

“And your dick hard up against me? Was that the dragon too?” Lachlan demanded because he didn’t think he would ever get a chance to get Apollo alone again.

“I…how dare… My dick…” he stammered, cheeks going red.

Lachlan hummed. “Yeah. Your dick was as hard as mine that night. Bet it’s hard now.” He looked down at the bulge that Apollo’s tight tailoring did nothing to hide. “Oh, yeah, I’m definitely sending your tailor flowers.”

“You’ve got no boundaries at all. Stop looking at me like that,” Apollo demanded. He was pressed up against the back wall of the elevator and looked so flustered that Lachlan wanted to get down on his knees right there and then see how deep that flush on his skin could get.

“I can’t stop looking at you, Apollo. This is the problem. It’s always been the fucking problem.” Lachlan dared to reach out and loop his finger around one of Apollo’s soft curls. “And I am done being subtle about it.”

Apollo’s eyes narrowed. “Is that so?”

“It is. So this is how it’s going to go from now on.” Lachlan leaned down until his mouth was next to Apollo’s ear and whispered, “Unless you tell me to stop, I’m going to use every one of my considerable skills and turn them toward dragon hunting. I’m not going to stop pursuing you until I run you to ground and you finally lay down at my feet and give in to us.”

Apollo’s gasp was the sexiest thing Lachlan had ever heard. “And what if I don’t want that?”

“Consent is a thing, golden boy. Tell me to stop, and I will.” Lachlan pulled back so he could look directly into Apollo’s eyes. “If you’re so scared at the thought of us say, ‘Stop, Lachlan.’ Right now. Go on.”

Gold flashed in Apollo’s eyes. Dominant. Aggressive. He had a dragon in him all right, and it didn’t like being challenged. Lachlan had never been so hard.

“I don’t have to say anything, because I don’t give in to anyone. If you think I’d lay down and whimper before the likes of you, you’ve been hit on the head one too many times,” Apollo said with an arrogant little smirk.

Lachlan smiled back because Apollo could lie to himself as much as he liked. He was agreeing to play this game by not giving in, which told Lachlan he still had a chance. Thank fuck.

“We’ll see, gorgeous,” Lachlan said, and because he didn’t know when to stop, he ground his aching dick against Apollo’s. His smile went wider as he found him just as hard. Apollo whimpered, and Lachlan laughed. “Yeah, my ass it was only your dragon acting up on Midsummer.”

Lachlan stepped back from a dazed-looking Apollo. Before he did anything else and pushed him too far, Lachlan hit the button to get the elevator to go again.

“You’re such an asshole,” Apollo muttered.

Lachlan only laughed. “When I’m fixed on my prey? Yeah. I am. As I said, I’m done waiting for you to come to me, so enjoy seeing the hunter side of me, dragon ,” he said.

The doors opened, and he strode out of the elevator.

He didn’t look back.