Page 29 of The Vampire’s Receptionist (Charmed Away Temp Agency #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Dorian could see the raw eagerness on Kian’s face. More than anything, he wanted to go. Dorian wasn’t sure why the thought hurt him so much, but he did his best to mask it, giving Kian an understanding smile.

“I appreciate it. I have no problem with you going home. Doctor Chapman was right. Staying with Ozen was just for your safety while I recovered from the effects of starvation. I assume that I’m fine now?”

He turned to Doctor Chapman, who had a look on his face that said he saw right through Dorian’s pleasantries. His mouth twitched against a scowl. There was no reason to keep Kian here if it wasn’t necessary. Dorian didn’t want to make him unhappy by forcing him to stay.

Thankfully, the older man didn’t call him out.

Instead, he nodded in agreement and said, “Yes, I believe the aftereffects are minimal. Twice a day feedings are fine for now, and those can be done safely without someone present. I see no problem with Kian returning home as long as you both communicate with one another.”

That was a dig at him, and he glared at the doctor in response. He didn’t need to communicate, because there was no issue. His relationship with Kian was still new. He had no right to make demands. And he never wanted to stand in the way of Kian’s happiness.

Ozen and Doctor Chapman left soon after that announcement. It didn't surprise Dorian in the slightest when Kian immediately started packing. He was relieved, happy, and while Dorian was glad to see him smile, it was hard to return the expression when Kian looked up at him.

“Think I can get away with using a portal to get home? I don’t want to bother anyone to ask for a ride.”

Dorian shook his head. “I’ll drive you. Ozen was kind enough to bring my car here this morning. If you wouldn’t mind waiting, I’ll gather my things and bring you home.”

Kian was amenable to the plan, humming to himself as he packed his toiletries.

Dorian left him to it, using the time that he spent packing to take a moment for himself.

They hadn’t even separated yet, but Dorian felt the separation like an ache in his chest. A few days staying with Kian meant more to him than he’d expected.

He pushed the thought aside, packing his things carefully when Ozen came to join him. He tipped his head curiously.

“He wants to go already?”

Dorian hummed, keeping his focus on his bag. Knowing his friend, he’d see right through him. He didn’t want to discuss how he was feeling right now.

“What are you going to do with the forest you brought into my home?” Ozen asked teasingly. When Dorian looked up, Ozen’s smile was sympathetic, but he was willing to distract from the situation for Dorian’s sake. Dorian appreciated it.

“I’m not sure. Kian mentioned that he already had plenty of plants in his home.”

“You could always move them to your apartment,” Ozen suggested. He chuckled at Dorian’s horrified look. “You can hire people to care for them. Or ask your new feeder to do it. It will give you an excuse to see him.”

He felt a little guilty manipulating Kian like that, but he could admit to himself that he would take any excuse to spend more time with Kian. “Maybe. I’ll have them picked up by the end of the week.”

Kian was waiting for him downstairs when he was finished packing up his things.

He was smiling brightly, and his hands moved animatedly as he spoke with Avery.

His bag waited by his feet, and he stood as close to the front door as possible without actually waiting outside.

Resigned, Dorian picked up Kian’s bag for him and nodded to his friends.

“Thank you for letting us stay.”

“Any time,” Avery replied with a bright smile.

Ozen nodded his agreement, gripping Dorian’s shoulder supportively. “Let me know if you need anything. I’m only a phone call away.”

Kian wiggled his fingers in a bid farewell before practically dashing out the door. Dorian huffed out a laugh as he followed him.

“You’re going to hurt their feelings being so exuberant to leave.”

Kian turned and walked backwards down the sidewalk, his nose wrinkled.

“It’s not about them. I mean, not really.

They were super kind watching out for us.

I just prefer my own space. And work. I’m really looking forward to going back to work.

If I had to spend another day ‘resting’–” he made quotes with his fingers when stating the last word– “I’m going to lose my mind.

I told you already, I don’t do well with boredom. ”

Dorian hummed, a slight smirk pulling at his lips. “I thought we figured out a nice way to pass the time earlier.”

Kian’s responding grin was wicked, and he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “If we could’ve spent the whole time doing that, you wouldn’t find me complaining. But I’m pretty sure the doctor would have pitched a fit if we tried.”

As Dorian was about to respond, a human on a skateboard swung around the corner, heading straight for Kian.

The beautiful man was still walking backwards, not looking where he was going, and the human wasn’t paying attention either.

With a burst of vampiric speed, Dorian snatched Kian out of the way and pressed him against the wall of the brownstone nearby.

Once he was sure Kian was safe, he whipped his head around, hissing at the human who had stopped to see if they were okay.

The human jumped back, terror written all over his face, but Dorian couldn’t find it in him to care.

Warm hands cupped his cheeks, forcing his attention away from the idiot human and back onto Kian. He pulled Dorian’s lips to his, kissing him softly just once. “You’ve made your point. Don’t make the poor human piss himself for an accident.”

Leaning into Kian’s palms, Dorian growled, “He could’ve hurt you.”

“But he didn’t,” Kian pointed out patiently. “We’ve really gotta figure out what’s going on with you, because I feel like you’re not usually this reactive.”

Not normally, no. Dorian was old enough not to let his feathers get ruffled so easily. He felt out of sorts when it came to Kian. All his instincts screamed at him to keep the man safe.

Leaning around him, Kian spoke to the human. “You should go.”

“I–I, uh…”

As Kian waved away the stammering human, sending him further from Dorian’s wrath, Dorian leaned into the hand still cupping his face, breathing in Kian’s scent. He always smelled like earth and sunshine. It soothed Dorian’s ragged nerves.

“Okay. The evil human is gone now. Let’s get going before someone else sets you off,” Kian teased, his bicolored eyes dancing when Dorian finally looked at him.

Huffing out a laugh, Dorian placed a kiss on Kian’s palm before straightening and stepping away.

He’d dropped their bags in his haste, but Kian didn’t comment on it, only making a face when Dorian wouldn’t allow him to pick up his own bag.

He was still supposed to be taking it easy.

Besides, Dorian liked doing things for him.

Avery hadn’t been lying when he told Kian that parking was troublesome in Ozen’s neighborhood.

He’d had to park Dorian’s car down the street, because it was the only spot available.

When Dorian stopped beside it and fished out his keys, Kian made a strangled sound. Dorian looked up at him with a frown.

“What’s wrong?”

Eyes wide and mouth agape, Kian gestured at the vehicle. “Tell me that’s not actually your car.”

Dorian pursed his lips, trying to understand why Kian was reacting this way. “It is… Is it a problem?”

Kian’s eyes darted between Dorian and the car for a long moment before he finally asked, “Are you batman or something? Who needs a fancy car like this?”

Dorian snorted, pressing the button on the keyfob to unlock the car. “I’m generally careful with my money. Cars are an exception.” He stepped closer, trailing his fingers along Kian’s jaw. “I have an addiction to beautiful things.”

Kian’s eyes fluttered momentarily, and his response was breathy. “That was a smooth line. You don’t need to try that hard to get into my pants. I was going to get naked for you anyway when you came to my place for your next feeding.”

Dorian’s libido flared, and the apprehension he’d felt about taking Kian home fled instantly. He wanted to take his time exploring Kian. Having a space to themselves meant he didn’t need to worry about interruptions or well-meaning friends nearby listening in.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he murmured, his voice coming out a lot lower and grittier than normal. They both seemed to sway into each other, like one small move would make them both lose control and attack each other. It was only the reminder that they were in public that kept Dorian steady.

When they finally separated and Kian was tucked safely into the car, Dorian took a few deep breaths.

He’d never felt that out of control before.

He’d had lovers in the past, including a few serious ones, but none of them made him feel as out of control as he did with Kian.

He had to wonder if this was because of whatever was going on with him medically or just his reaction to Kian in general.

Either way, he had to pay more attention.

This wasn’t who he was, and he didn’t like how feral he’d felt lately.

He knew what could happen to a vampire who lost control.

He didn’t want to hurt anyone. Especially not Kian.

Determined to keep his head on straight, he slid into the driver’s seat, biting back a smile at Kian’s wide eyed wonder as he took in the car’s interior.

“Where am I going?”

Kian looked around again and a slight smirk pulled at his lips. “The world’s fanciest car doesn’t have a digital display?”

Raising an eyebrow, Dorian started the car. The front display, which while the car was off looked like part of the dashboard, lit up and a welcome message flashed across the screen.

Kian snorted.“Oh god. Your car says ‘hello’ to you when you get in? That’s just insane.”

Dorian grinned, unrepentant. “It can also drive without my assistance, should I choose to. I only have to put in the desired destination.” He pressed a button on the display, pulling up the map. He shot Kian a smug grin and gestured to it, waiting for him to input his address.

Kian rolled his eyes, still smiling. “Goddess, you look like the Cheshire cat right now. You’re lucky I like seeing you smile. Cocky men don’t do it for me normally.”

“But I do?” Dorian asked. His tone said he was teasing, but deep down, he wanted an honest answer. He wanted to know he had Kian’s attention and what they were doing together wasn’t just to help with his reaction to Dorian’s feedings.

Kian hummed, leaning across the center console to whisper in his ear. “I don’t think there’s a single thing you could do that wouldn’t do it for me. Why don’t you turn on autopilot, and I’ll show you just how much.”

As much as it turned him on to think about what Kian would do to him, the thought of fooling around in his car was a little horrifying. What if they stained the leather?

Kian pulled back enough to see his face and cackled. “Alright, I see I’ve got my work cut out for me. I’m warning you now. I’m going to do everything I can to get you so worked up that you beg me to fuck you in your fancy car.”

Dorian’s breath escaped him in a rush. He’d known the fae were mischievous, but he’d never been on the receiving end of it before. Was it wrong that he looked forward to whatever tricks Kian had in mind?