Page 21 of The Vampire’s Receptionist (Charmed Away Temp Agency #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Dorian felt the subtle shift in Kian’s mood, but he couldn’t place why.

And the stubborn man was good at hiding it behind a smile.

He chose a game to play that they were both familiar with and kept the smile in place, masking the guarded expression he was trying to hide.

Dorian had hoped to make Kian happy by buying the plants, but if anything, it only made things more awkward. He wasn’t sure what to do about it.

Thankfully, Harlem texted him to let him know he was coming over before Dorian said anything else to make the situation more tense. Harlem was much more social than Dorian was. He hoped his friend would be able to figure out how Dorian could make things easier on Kian.

He excused himself between rounds of their game to open the door when Harlem said he was outside. Ozen’s wards wouldn’t allow him entry without being invited in first, even if the door was unlocked. He opened the front door, beckoning his friend, who was eyeing the house critically.

“Think anyone in this neighborhood would ever want to move? I feel like I could happily settle here, but these places almost never go up for sale.”

“There’s always a chance,” Dorian said, stepping aside to let Harlem in.

“I suggest finding a realtor to watch the area if you’re interested.

The properties go fast when they come to market.

” He would know, since he lived only a few blocks away.

He had to have two realtors working together to get his bid in for his home.

He was pretty sure he only got it because he offered to pay far above asking in cash.

Harlem immediately wrapped his arms around Dorian’s middle for a hug, squeezing tightly. “You look a lot better than the last time I saw you. I was really worried.”

Dorian hugged him back. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

He stepped back, looking him up and down. “How are you? Are you feeling better? How’s Kian?”

Chuckling, Dorian put a guiding hand on Harlem’s shoulder, leading him towards the stairs.

“I’m much better. While we still don’t understand why I can only consume Kian’s blood, he’s been vigilant in making sure I’m fed.

As for how he’s doing…” Dorian wanted to say Kian was fine but that felt like a lie.

Kian was recovering a lot slower than he was because he was still required to feed Dorian during his recovery.

Dorian was grateful that Doctor Chapman agreed to move to twice a day feedings instead of every few hours.

“How about you ask him yourself?” Dorian said, in lieu of answering. Maybe Harlem could get Kian to open up better than he could.

Harlem didn’t seem to pick up on Dorian’s difficulty in answering the question, making comments on his thoughts on Ozen’s home as they made their way to the media room. If Ozen wasn’t careful, he’d end up with a very vibrant neighbor as soon as Harlem could convince the neighbors to sell.

Kian was right where Dorian had left him, toying idly with the pieces of the game they’d been playing.

Before he realized they were coming, Dorian saw the strain in his face, the slight pull between his brows.

He was obviously unhappy. He masked the emotions when he became aware that he wasn’t alone, plastering that same fake smile on his face as Harlem hurried around the sofa to hug him.

“Kian! How are you?” Harlem asked, squeezing Kian’s shoulders tightly. He leaned back, giving Kian the same cursory look he’d given Dorian. “You look pale. And you feel chilled. Are you not feeling well? Do you need a blanket?”

One of the things that made Harlem a wonderful feeder was his natural need to care for his friends.

He was a wonderful host at parties and fussed over Dorian whenever he had a long day.

Kian seemed uncomfortable with the attention, however, and sank a little more into the cushions of the sofa to put space between himself and Harlem.

“I’m fine, thanks. How are you?”

Harlem was a lot like Taron, always happy to be chatty, and immediately sat beside Kian, regaling him with stories about his day.

While they spoke, Dorian fetched a blanket from the end of the couch, carefully covering Kian’s legs without a word.

Kian’s smile was polite, but didn't reach his eyes, and he seemed uneasy when he gave his attention back to Harlem.

The awkwardness unsettled Dorian, and his chest felt tight with the discomfort. His now almost obsessive need to fix things for Kian, to make things easier on him, was making things worse, and he wasn’t sure what to do with himself.

“I’m going to start on supper. I’ll be downstairs if anyone needs me,” he said, desperate to put some distance between them before he stuck his foot in his mouth and made things even more awkward. Maybe food would put Kian in a better mood, and Dorian could finally figure out what he’d done wrong.

Kian was careful not to watch Dorian too close with Harlem sitting beside him.

He didn't want the kitsune to get the wrong idea. Or the right idea, since Kian could admit to himself he had the smallest crush on the vampire. It was tiny, miniscule even. Not something he’d ever mention.

It was probably just because Dorian was being so nice to him.

He knew the vampire was only doing it to make up for what had happened, but people weren’t nice to Kian often, not unless they were his parents.

It was hard not to soak up the attention and read more into it than it was.

Harlem wrinkled his nose at Dorian’s hasty retreat. “Don’t mind him. He’s surprisingly fussy about caring for his feeders. Don’t be surprised if he starts showering you with presents. Gift giving and feeding people are his love languages.”

Kian huffed a small laugh, gesturing to the plants along the walls. “Yeah, I figured that out when I woke up to this. I mentioned that I like plants, and this is what I woke up to after a nap. My room is even worse.”

Harlem didn’t seem bothered by Dorian giving Kian that kind of attention, rocking a little in his seat as he laughed.

“That definitely sounds like him. I’ve lost track of the amount of boyfriends who’ve complained that I’m too spoiled thanks to him. He created a monster with me.”

Kian’s brows furrowed a little. He’d assumed they were in a relationship based on the way they interacted with each other. He didn't want to get his hopes up that he was wrong. Dorian had said Harlem had been his feeder for a long time. Maybe they didn’t get together right away.

“Well, I’ll be careful not to mention anything like that again.

I don’t think Avery’s house could handle another trip to the plant shop,” he said, eyeing the plants along the wall.

He hadn’t yet gone downstairs. He didn’t have a full picture of how many plants Dorian had actually purchased while he was sleeping.

Harlem snickered and shook his head before sobering a little. “So really. How are you? You really do look pale. Did the doctor check on you? Will Dorian need to find someone else to feed him while you recover?”

Kian waved away his concern, ignoring the twist in his stomach at the thought of Dorian going to someone else.

They knew he was safe with Kian. He didn’t want a repeat of Dorian’s last attempt at feeding from someone else.

It had nothing to do with Kian wanting to keep Dorian’s thoughtful attention on him. Nope.

“I’m alright. I tried to use my magic earlier, and it didn’t go well. I had a nap and another transfusion, and I’m feeling better. I’ll keep feeding Dorian until we figure things out. How about you? You looked really upset the last time I saw you.”

Harlem dismissed the notion. “I’m seriously not who anyone needs to be worried about right now.

I was just upset at seeing Dorian acting like that.

” His expression darkened, and he shuddered visibly.

“He almost killed you, Kian. By the time I got back with help, you were passed out on the floor, and he still wouldn’t let you go.

It was scary. And when the dragon came in?

” He shook his head, frowning at his hands.

“I’m not sure what was worse. Watching Dorian almost drain you dry or watching him being thrown around like a rag doll to keep him away from you. ”

Kian put his hand over Harlem’s, squeezing gently.

“I’m sorry. That must have been hard to watch.

I couldn’t imagine watching someone I care about losing it like that.

” And he really couldn’t. If one of his parents somehow went off the rails, he’d be heartbroken.

He couldn’t imagine what it’d be like if it were his boyfriend.

Harlem drew in a shuddering breath and held it for a second before letting it go again. “It’s okay. I might have nightmares for a while, but otherwise, I’ll be fine. I’m more worried about the two of you.”

Harlem’s concern over Kian’s wellbeing was sweet, but it also made Kian feel guilty at the same time.

Here was this sweet man who genuinely cared that Kian was alright, despite his bloodline.

Meanwhile, Kian was crushing on his boyfriend and getting aroused every time Dorian fed from him. He felt like a jackass.

“Thankfully, my boyfriend said I could stay with him for a little while. I think I’ll sleep a lot better with him around.”

Kian nodded automatically before the comment stuck. He froze. It was awkward enough to feed Dorian with his friends nearby. He did not want to do it with Dorian’s boyfriend in the next room. Or worse, what if Harlem wanted to be in the same room? He could die from the shame.

“What are we discussing?” Dorian asked as he came in with plates for the two of them. He handed Kian his first, which only made Kian more uncomfortable. It was wrong for Dorian to favor him over his boyfriend.

Harlem happily took his plate from Dorian, breathing in the smell with a happy hum. “Yummy. I was just telling Kian that I’ll be staying with Ronan for a little while. I’ll still have my phone on me, though, so you just have to call if you need me. He lives down near the docks, so I’m not too far.”

Hold on. What?