Page 19

J ayden scanned Stephan’s sleeping form—he looked so peaceful and innocent. Though…the dried blood on his face ruined it a bit. Jayden gently wiped away the smudges with the warm, wet washcloth.

Stephan’s eyes fluttered open. “Jade,” he rasped.

Pulling the cloth away, he murmured, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

The man cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes. “It’s okay. How…how did it go?”

“I don’t know.” Jayden sat down on the edge of the bed. “Okay, I guess. We have a meeting with King Adrian and King Xavier in a few days. According to Dante, if it goes well, I’ll be his new executioner.”

“The kings?” Stephan fidgeted. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. I mean, Dante did say King Adrian already knew about you. Well, what you’ve done, that is. I’m not sure if that’s true of King Xavier. Though, Adrian is who we have to impress, as technically, Xavier is only a consort. ”

Jayden tilted his head in confusion. “Consort? Why do so many call him ‘King’ then?”

“It’s a show of respect. His position would have been equal to Adrian’s, if he had been a vampire. Or at the very least, come from a vampire’s line. From what I heard, for a while, it caused a rather big rift between King Adrian and the council.”

“I see…” Wanting to change the subject, he asked, “Would you like to take a bath?”

Stephan wrinkled his nose. “I think I would. The dried blood is a bit itchy… Sorry for hurting you earlier.”

“Don’t worry about it. Why don’t you bathe while I change the bedding?” Jayden paused. “Where is your bedding? I’ve never seen this before now.” He waved at the bed. “I believe I would have noticed so much pink.”

“It’s…it’s in the closet in my sitting room.”

“I see,” Jayden said, chuckling.

As he headed toward the door, Stephan called out to him. “Wait! I…”

Pausing, Jayden turned back. “Is something wrong?”

“Could you…” Stephan bit his lip. “Could you…umm…”

He raised his eyebrow in question. “Yes?”

“Take a bath with me!” The man quickly looked down in clear embarrassment, flush spreading to his pointed ears.

Blinking, he found himself speechless at the request. Jayden opened his mouth, only to snap it shut, as he had no clue what he’d been about to say.

“Never mind,” Stephan said, his voice squeaking. The elf threw back the covers and fled towards the bathroom.

Jayden snagged the man’s arm and tugged Stephan against him. Looking down, he pushed back some stray strands of Stephan’s hair. His hand lingered over the top of one of Stephan’s flushed ears. The pointed tip twitched under his touch, and the man shuddered. Sensitive—Jayden grinned at the discovery, filing it away for later.

“Stephan, that’s a request I would never be able to say no to.”

Stephan peered shyly up at him through his long lashes. “Really?”

“Really.” Jayden gave the man a quick kiss and released him. “Why don’t you go start the bath, and I’ll join you once I’ve changed the bed.”

S tephan shifted nervously from one foot to the other. Oh Gods, what had he done? Had he lost his damn mind?

He couldn’t do this. What the hell had he been thinking? Stephan couldn’t even handle Jayden touching his…touching his dick through his clothes.

How the hell could he be fully nude around him? It had only been like a week since Stephan freaked out because of a fucking hug, even if he had allowed Jayden to kiss him after…not to mention a few other things.

Stephan pulled on his hair—ugh, what was wrong with him?

No, he could do this! He’d just need bubbles, lots and lots of bubbles to hide under. Stephan was sure he’d be fine, as long as Jayden couldn’t actually see him.

Jumping into action, he turned the knob to start the water flowing. It shot out of the five spouts in the sides of his sunken tub. Once steam began to rise, Stephan covered the drain, allowing the tub to fill.

He rummaged through the cabinets that held all of his bathing products, grabbed an unopened bottle of bubbles, and poured some under each spout, before just dumping the rest in. That done, Stephan stripped, wincing as he tugged his hair tie out of his very tangled hair, before stepping into the water. As the bubbles formed, he gathered them around himself like a protective shield.

The tub was full by the time a still fully clothed Jayden walked in—thank the heavens for fast-filling bathtubs.

As the vampire took in the bathroom, his eyes widened. Looking around, Stephan realized it was a bit much.

H oly shit, Stephan’s bathroom looked like a frickin’ spa. The walls were gray marble, and the floors were wooden. A large, sunken, white marble walk-in tub was situated flush against the left wall. It had to be at least ten by twelve feet, and based on how much Stephan was covered, probably three or four feet deep. A stool and a small wooden box with a handle sat by the edge of the tub, with bottles, a brush, and a variety of little things scattered inside.

In the corner of the room, a bit away from the tub, stood a large glass shower. On the right, wooden cabinets were built into the wall. Directly across from him, was a massive window that took up the whole wall, going from floor to ceiling, and lining the wall that was now at his back, were white marble sinks and counters.

Jayden’s gaze shifted back to the tub. Stephan was sitting back, his head leaning against the wall. Steam wafted up, and there were bubbles foamed up to his neck. Even though he was covered, it was clear the man’s face was flushed, and not just from the heat of the water.

His little nose wrinkled, as the elf hesitantly said, “It’s a bit much, huh?”

“Maybe,” Jayden chuckled.

The realization that Stephan was completely nude under all those bubbles had him gulping. And when Jayden removed his shirt and pants, he found his hands a bit unsteady. As he reached for his boxers, he paused briefly, before deciding to leave them on when he took in how intently Stephan was staring at him.

The man was breathing faster than normal, and there was a slight hint of fear under the sweet-smelling bubbles.

As if approaching a frightened animal, Jayden slowly walked over to the tub. Stepping down into it, he realized there was a raised area around the bathtub’s walls. Sitting down adjacent to Stephan, Jayden kept his hands to himself.

“You’re…you’re not going to take them off?”

“Maybe later.” Jayden crooked his finger. “Come here.”

The elf eyed him for a moment more, before hesitantly wading over. When he was close enough, Jayden pulled Stephan onto his lap, face-forward, and wrapped his arms around him. As he leaned down to bury his face in Stephan’s neck, he glided his hands up the man’s arms, to lightly grip his shoulders. Massaging the delicate flesh for just a moment, Jayden pushed aside his tangled hair to place soft kisses on Stephan’s bare shoulders.

D on’t freak out, don’t freak out—he’s not hurting you. Shuddering slightly at the soft press of Jayden’s lips, Stephan forced himself to relax.

Oh Gods, he could feel Jayden’s hard-on against his butt. To be honest, the man was hard everywhere. Stephan looked like a weakling compared to him. Maybe…he did need to eat more. Ugh, he’d probably just get chubby somehow, instead of putting on muscle.

Though, Stephan had never met a heavy immortal. Wait, no, he had never met an overweight full-blooded immortal. He had met a few whose human DNA dominated, that had more weight than was healthy.

“Can I wash your hair?” Jayden’s deep voice rumbled against his shoulder.

Biting his lip, Stephan nodded.

“Stephan, is there a showerhead?”

He reached to the right, slid back a panel, and pulled out the showerhead that was connected to the tub.

“Ah.”

His voice squeaked as he told Jayden, “You push the button to start the water flow.”

Stephan blinked in confusion when Jayden moved him off his lap. Looking back, he watched the man grab the stool sitting beside the tub, and put it underwater in front of him.

“Sit,” Jayden instructed. “As much as I love having your nude body against me, it would make washing your hair impossible. ”

Blushing, Stephan said nothing as he sat on the stool.

Water began cascading over his head. Jayden was gentle as he massaged shampoo into Stephan’s scalp, and through his long strands. But every time the man’s hands brushed against his bare skin, Stephan’s body tingled, and a soft moan left his lips.

It wasn’t sexual, but still, his prick hardened, and he found it increasingly difficult to stay still. Stephan was entirely grateful that the bubbles hid him away.

“Beautiful, though I wonder if it can even be brushed when dry,” Jayden murmured as he finished rinsing shampoo from Stephan’s hair.

He giggled nervously. “Not really.”

“What should I do next? I don’t tend to do much more than that.”

Stephan glanced back, just staring at the man's feathery looking hair. How in the hell?! Oh, it wasn’t fair!? Ugh, to have hair that…only needed shampoo…

He sighed, facing forward as he said, “Add conditioner, brush, rinse…and then tie it up until we’re done. After, I have a leave-in conditioner that I use, followed by more brushing while still wet.”

“That’s a process.” Jayden chuckled, but the man followed his instructions.

Once he’d conditioned his hair, Stephan found his body relaxing as the man started to brush his curls out. After rinsing again, and grabbing a hair tie from the wooden box by the tub, Jayden gathered and pulled his hair up into a thick bun.

“Done,” Jayden announced, placing a peck on top of his head. “Now to wash the rest of you,” he purred.

“ T hat is, if you’ll let me.”

Jayden was just going to go for it. He wanted Stephan to feel pleasure, and he wanted the little man to feel comfortable with his needs—to not fear them.

On spotting a small nod, Jayden wasted no time. He picked Stephan up and set him on the edge of the tub. Squawking, Stephan tried to cover his erection.

“You’re beautiful. Please, don’t hide from me.”

As his trembling hands slowly slid away, he licked his lips. The view in front of him had his cock throbbing. Jayden found his gaze following water droplets and bubble suds as they traveled down the man’s smooth skin. Stephan’s legs were slim, his waist was trim, and his stomach was perfectly flat.

Besides what was on his head, the only hair on the man’s body was a neatly trimmed patch of curls at the base of his jutting cock. The man wasn’t cut, but then, he couldn’t be, as elves didn’t have foreskins to begin with. Stephan’s prick twitched ever so slightly as pre-cum dripped from its tip. The view was mouthwatering.

He grabbed a bathing poof and lathered it up with a body wash that smelled of lilies. Running the sponge up and down Stephan’s neck, Jayden used swirling motions to spread the sweet-scented foam over the man’s collarbone. Dropping lower down, he gently brushed against Stephan’s erect pink buds.

The little man’s eyes dilated and his lips parted as the textured poof rasped against his nipples, small tremors running through him. Stephan’s breathing grew heavy, and the scent of his lust thickened.

The man looked so beautiful in his arousal, but Jayden would have to watch him closely. He didn’t want to draw out Stephan’s fear again.

As Jayden washed Stephan, he soon found out how very sensitive the man’s body was. Stephan shifted and whimpered, his breath hitching each time Jayden found a sensitive spot.

Not wishing to scare him, Jayden was quick as he slid between the man’s rounded cheeks. Continuing on, he covered every delectable inch of him with suds, until all that was left was Stephan’s swollen prick and tight sack.

Sweat dripped down Jayden’s face as he looked at the last bit left untouched—he felt almost light-headed, the heat from the water and his arousal leaving him dizzy. The only clear thought in his mind was that he wished to possess the man in front of him—Jayden wanted to make Stephan his.

After dropping the poof, leaving his hand completely soaped up, Jayden wrapped it around Stephan’s cock. The man jerked in shock at his touch.

Instead of rubbing the twitching flesh within his grasp, Jayden remained still, waiting to see how Stephan would react.

Swaying, the little man grabbed onto his shoulder to stabilize himself. “J-Jade,” Stephan whined.

When the stench of fear never came, Jayden ran his hand up and down Stephan’s shaft. Pre-cum and suds mixed together as he pumped the man’s throbbing cock.

The soft moans that drifted past Stephan’s lips strengthened Jayden’s excitement. Each drop of pre-cum he drew from the man had his own leaking out.

Jayden’s gaze kept flitting between what his hand was doing and his lover’s face. Either view was worth dying for. He cupped the man’s balls with his other hand, gently squeezing and massaging the tight sack.

“Oh Gods, Jayden…” Stephan cried.

Jayden focused on the look of pleasure on the elf’s face. Stephan’s eyes were hazy, his lips slightly parted. He had his head tilted back, seeing nothing—just feeling and taking in every touch.

But Jayden had no intention of letting the man come this way. He wanted to finish him with his mouth, to have his sweet release on his tongue. To savor Stephan’s first taste of pleasure in years.

Releasing him, Jayden pulled away.

“What…” Stephan muttered in a daze.

“I want to taste you, Sweetheart. Will you let me?”

Stephan’s brow furrowed, looking so adorably confused. Chuckling, Jayden slowly ran a finger up the underside of the man’s cock. “I want to suck this.”

The pleasure clouding Stephan’s face faded a bit. “S-suck?” the man sputtered.

Jayden wiggled his eyebrows. “Suck,” he purred.

Stephan nodded stiffly. With his permission given, Jayden grabbed the showerhead and sprayed Stephan’s crotch. The man squealed in indignation at the sudden assault of water, shying away.

With his hands gripping Stephan’s thighs, Jayden grinned. He slid down into the water until he was eye level with the man’s hard length. “Sorry, I’ve never liked the taste of soap. ”

Stephan started to say something, but it ended in a choked gasp as Jayden took his cock fully down his throat. Nuzzling into his trimmed curls, he breathed in the man’s musky, sweet scent—caramel with a hint of pistachio.

Jayden ran his hands up and down Stephan’s trembling thighs. And for just a few moments, he stared into the man’s glazed eyes, savoring the taste of him—then he swallowed.

“Jayden!” Stephan cried out, his fingers threading through Jayden’s hair, gripping the strands tightly. He writhed as Jayden massaged his length with his throat.

When he pulled off, Stephan let out a whine of protest. But Jayden ignored his pleas, and blew a few puffs of cool air on the spit-covered tip, before flicking his tongue against Stephan’s slit. The man moaned and arched toward him as he licked the mushroom head, capturing every dollop of pre-cum with his tongue.

Only when Stephan’s whimpers and moans echoed through the room did Jayden finally take him back into his mouth. Then, hollowing his cheeks, he began to suck, bobbing up and down on Stephan’s cock.

“Jade, Jade, Jade…” the elf chanted between his cries of pleasure.

The sweet pleas had Jayden’s balls tightening and his prick spasming. And as he continued to suck on Stephan’s throbbing dick, he reached down to roll the man’s sack in his hand.

Pre-cum coated his throat, tasting sweet on his tongue. It wouldn’t be long now, as the hard length in his mouth continuously twitched, and the man’s balls clenched in his hand. Jayden found his heartbeat quickening in anticipation of tasting the elf’s seed. The silvery substance would spread across his taste buds as he drank it down .

Stephan threw his head back on a strangled cry as he came. One of Jayden’s hands shot out to the swell of Stephan’s back, as the man arched painfully and started to fall.

Thick liquid that tasted of sweet syrup slid down Jayden’s throat. He gulped down each spurt, refusing to waste a single drop. And there was so much of it—the man’s orgasm went on and on.

When finally spent, Stephan’s arms fell limply to his side, his body continuing to shudder as he hung partly in the air, held up only by the hand Jayden had placed on the man’s lower back.

After pulling off the sensitive flesh, he licked his lips.

M ind cloudy, Stephan barely registered when Jayden lowered his tingling body to the floor. With his heart racing, and his breathing faster than normal, he felt a bit dizzy. It had been fifteen years since Stephan had last come, but he didn’t remember ever having experienced something like this.

Lacking the energy to move, Stephan just lay there, staring at the ceiling, while he listened to Jayden move around. As he came down from the high his climax had brought, Stephan’s heartbeat returned to normal. His cock twitched when something brushed over it—his lover was cleaning him. Not long after, he found himself bundled in fluffy towels, one around his body, the other his hair .

As his mind cleared more, Stephan’s heart sped up for a very different reason—panic.

By the Gods, he had a lover! He didn’t know how to have a lover. But were he and Jayden lovers?

If they were, Stephan was terrible at it. He hadn’t even gotten the man off. Were they lovers now or would ‘boyfriend’ be more accurate? Was there a difference? Neither of them had asked, though… Was asking required?

Stephan chewed on his lower lip nervously—did Jayden even want to date? They hadn’t talked about it. What if he didn’t? Stephan wanted to.

“Whatever you’re thinking about…stop,” Jayden rasped, as he picked him up with one arm, his hand cupping Stephan’s ass.

The smell of the man’s arousal was mixed in with the musky scent of Stephan’s orgasm. Ignoring Jayden’s need wouldn’t be right—it wouldn’t be fair.

“W-what about y-you?” he managed to stutter out.

Jayden cocked his head. “What about me?”

“Um, you didn’t…um…you didn’t…” Stephan became flustered, and couldn’t manage to get the rest of his words out.

The man grinned. “I didn’t come?” Jayden started forward, pausing as he reached the counter to grab his leave-in conditioner and a brush.

Face heating, Stephan nodded and buried his head against the vampire's shoulder as the man strode into the bedroom.

“Relax, Stephan. I can take care of myself later.”

He popped his head up. “But I can hel?—”

“We both know you’re not ready for that.” Jayden stopped in front of Stephan’s drawers, tossing the brush and conditioner on the bed, before he began to rummage through them.

“Bu—”

“Drop it, Sweetheart.”

At the command, Stephan stuck his bottom lip out and pouted. Jayden just laughed.

Moments later, the man let out a satisfied grunt and pulled out a pair of white silk, frilly panties, and a just as frilly, bubblegum-pink tank top.

Stephan's eyes widened, as he eyed the two things. Dear Gods, he had just let the man rustle through his underwear! Then again, he had also let Jayden suck him off, so he supposed the man looking at his underwear wasn’t that big of a deal. But it didn’t make it any less embarrassing.

He tried to slap Jayden’s hands away when the man laid him on the bed and started to dress him. “I can do it,” Stephan whined.

Jayden rolled his eyes and ignored him. Once done, the man pulled him into a seated position, before sliding in behind him on the bed, and adding the leave-in conditioner to his hair.

Stephan remained silent while the vampire brushed his tight curls again. But on finishing, he slowly turned and peered at the man through his lashes. Stephan scooted over to cuddle him, and Jayden’s arm slipped around his waist.

The worries Stephan had, just moments ago, returned, and he couldn’t help but voice them. “A-are we dating? Or is this something else? S-sex friends? Are we lovers? Is this a fling? Do you want to date?” His words rushed out, and would have continued to do so if Jayden hadn’t covered his mouth.

“Hush. Stephan, you overthink things.” Jayden sighed and dropped his hand away. “We’ve already confessed our feelings, haven’t we? While I know practically nothing about relationships, I’m pretty sure that means we’re dating.”

His heart fluttered. He felt light—happy. Jayden was his. He was Jayden’s. A relationship…he was in a relationship!

Squealing, he threw his arms around Jayden’s neck and kissed him.